An investigator checking a window for fingerprints after the theft of the Star of India, a 563-carat sapphire the size of a golf ball and other germs were stolen from the American Museum of Natural History Hall of Gems on 29 October 1964.

Across the world, many of the most beloved museums are housed in centuries-old buildings, architectural treasures that, while magnificent, bring unique risk management challenges. Historic facades, original doors, and delicate window glass may charm visitors, but they were never designed for the rigours of modern museum operations.  Not to mention they require periodic and costly maintenance which only  increases their vulnerability. These fragile elements, though aesthetically invaluable, offer little defense against vibration, temperature swings, or forced entry, leaving museum collections more vulnerable than their counterparts in modern, purpose-built institutions.

Jack Ronald Murphy, the infamous "Murph the Surf", was among the thieves behind the audacious 1964 American Museum of Natural History jewel heist in New York. Boasting afterward that "it really was no big deal — a job like this we could pull off anytime," Murphy and his accomplices were swiftly caught, just days after stealing the extraordinary cache of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and gem-studded jewellery, in part because of their extraordinary partying afterward. 

While lawyers in this case negotiated relatively lenient deals for the trio connected to the museum's burglary, "Murph" was incarcerated for two decades, tried for the brutal robbery/homicides of Terry Rae Frank and Annelle Marie Mohn in Broward County, Florida whose bodies were recovered in tidal waters, with cement blocks fastened around their necks.  Just a side point to underscore and think about when the public questions, museum security guards engagement with thieves while still in the midst of a violent robbery. 

Scaffolding at the Louvre in Paris, allowed access to the building which allowed burglars to steal the diamond encrusted sword of King Charles X, on December 16, 1976.

Beyond physical vulnerability, environmental control presents another hurdle. In cities where summer temperatures soar, galleries within heritage structures often struggle to maintain stable climate conditions essential for not only the preservation of art in the collection, but for the comfort of the museum's visitors.  Retrofitting historic spaces for efficient temperature regulation without compromising their integrity is technically difficult and financially demanding.

View of St. Peter's Basilica from inside I Musei Caticani

Complicating matters further, strict preservation laws sometimes limits the scope of modern interventions. Legislation designed to protect authenticity can inadvertently hinder building upgrades which would provide better protection, forcing institutions into a delicate balancing act between conservation ethics and contemporary security demands. This is why it’s not uncommon to find state-of-the-art display cases housed in rooms where the original, centuries-old windows still serve as vulnerable entry points.

Finely engraved gold by the Etruscans alongside refined glass paste of Syria protected inside alarmed cases in the Villa Poniatowski (Villa Giulia), a Renaissance villa that houses Italy's National Etruscan Museum

One thing to remember, as art thieves become increasingly resourceful, blending tried and true old methods with new targets for theft, today's historic museums face mounting pressure to innovate within the constraints of their own history, ensuring that beauty and security can coexist without compromise.

If you’d like to learn more about how to safeguard museums and cultural heritage, consider applying to ARCA’s Postgraduate programmes in Art Crime and Cultural Heritage Protection. These unique courses offer specialised training in risk assessment, security strategy, and the legal and ethical dimensions of cultural property protection. It’s an invaluable opportunity for truly understand that  preservationcomes with professional expertise.