Museum and Gallery Moving in Boston and MetroWest

Start with the registrar's object schedule. Loaned objects usually go back to lenders before a move, high-value objects go with the fine-art shipper, and the rest follow the order the registrar sets. We fit around that, often between exhibitions, with evening and weekend work on request so a museum can stay open to visitors as long as possible.

Galleries in Boston cluster along Newbury Street, in the South End's SoWa area, and in Fort Point, often in older buildings with small freight elevators or none, and street loading. Museums around Greater Boston range from historic houses to modern buildings with loading docks. Institutions and gallery landlords typically keep a copy of the mover's insurance certificate on file, and we email ours on request.

Glass cases are the fragile part of the furniture. Glass panels are removed and crated or secured as the case maker allows, corners get guards, and cases travel upright and strapped. Plinths and exhibit walls are wrapped, since paint and fabric finishes scuff easily.

Objects are the registrar's and curator's to direct, and an unreleased piece stays untouched even if it sits in the crew's path. When they do release pieces to us, we follow their instructions for packing, carrying, and orientation, and can crate to their approved dimensions. Condition reports, object records, and insurance for the collection stay with the museum. Office and shop computers are moved as ordinary office equipment. Gallery floors, often finished wood or polished concrete, get runners along every route before the first case rolls.