As one who participates in my local ASHRAE chapter (American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) I have seen a talk
on the HVAC system installed in the Sistine Chapell and there was one
provided for the Ampato Maiden (mummy from an Andean glacier) I can attest
to HVAC being an important of preservation.

As to application of the ice box theory to the Ed Sullivan theater I seem to
recall that some of the female guests have complained about how cold it is
on stage though the goal there may not be preservation, just an
insensitivity on the part of the host to the amount of clothing he wears
versus that worn by his female guests (or perhaps an interest in getting a
reaction from his guests...).

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Becker [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 2:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Welcome back ][<en


We've heard of airplanes and mountaineers being preserved in the icy depths
of glaciers and snowfields.  Is the Ed Sullivan Theater an example of
preservation by ice box?  Can a powerful HVAC system result in the
preservation of historic fabric?  Just the cold facts, please.
____________________________________

Dan Becker, Exec. Dir., RHDC
Raleigh Historic Districts Commission
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From:   Jrhodes [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   May 4, 1999 4:24 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Welcome back ][<en

<snip>

Besides which, he and his crew are the new "spirit of the old Ed Sullivan
theater"...what made its rehab possible.  Lesson to be learned:  it's the
"spirit" of the rehab that drives the project as much as blind adherance to
the particulars of the Standards.