This past March, the museum said goodbye to a quirky, beloved relic: the “four-holer” Outhouse. While we are sad to see it go, the Outhouse was severely compromised from its high concentration of toxic lead paint and had to be removed to protect the collection, staff, visitors, volunteers, and the saltwater marsh below.
The “four-holer” Outhouse came from the property of the old Otter Point School (1913-1952), where there were two outhouses: one for girls and one for boys. The museum acquired it in 1983, where it was a highlight of the open house that year; Norm Peterson presented museum historian Elida Peers a “key”. The structure was disassembled and then rebuilt on the property. Inside, there were four “holes” with dividers between each seat. On an interior wall is etched, “Guess who loves teacher?”
At the time, lead paint was popular from its density and opacity – a small amount could cover a large surface. Then later, at the turn of the 20th century, Sherwin-Williams reported the dangers of lead paint, explaining it was “poisonous in a large degree.” Throughout the 20th century, countries started placing regulations on using lead paint.
Lead paint is most dangerous when it flakes and becomes airborne, which can enter your system. Stunted growth, kidney damage, delayed development, and nervous system damage are all symptoms of ingesting lead. In Canada, regulations on interior paint containing lead were introduced in 1976, though there were no restrictions on exterior paint containing lead. Whereas paints manufactured before 1950 contained as much as 50 per cent of lead by weight, the Hazardous Products Act later limited lead content of paint and other liquid coatings to 0.5 per cent of lead by weight. Many buildings prior to 1976 contained lead and it was not until later where testing became more accessible.
Before removing the Outhouse, multiple tests were performed. First, we swabbed the paint, confirming the presence of lead. Then, an environmental testing company took samples to see how much lead was contained in the paint. The results showed the Outhouse contained a lead concentration four times the acceptable amount. With that, our only recourse was to remove the Outhouse from the property for it to be disposed of properly. On March 31, a lead remediation company disassembled and removed the Outhouse, with the assistance of a crane – necessary to protect the surrounding environment, collection, and people that come to the museum’s property.
Although the Outhouse is physically gone, we still have records and photos documenting the history of this structure. It is important for museums to ensure safety measures are followed, and unfortunately, it sometimes means artifacts are disposed. The Outhouse will live on in memory… and there may be a replica down the road.
Emma Wilton is a collections and exhibits manager with Sooke Region Museum.
