Conservation and Preservation of Historic Collections
The goal of conservation and preservation efforts at the USAHEC is to stabilize the condition of collections so that they can be available for research, exhibit, and posterity. To support this responsibility, a 35,000 foot state-of-the-art purpose-built conservation facility is currently under construction.
Collections require special handling, storage, environmental considerations, documentation, and conservation treatment to preserve historical integrity. Some of these historic objects are very rare and have unstable materials, such as: aged and acidic paper; leather and wood degradation; metal corrosion; biodeterioration (pests and mold); structural and material loss or insecurity; surface dirt and accretions; stains, light fading, and discoloration; and damage from previous campaigns of restoration.
This confederate coat was damaged by insects prior to its arrival at the Army Heritage Museum.
This highlights the importance of keeping pests away from collection materials because
of the extensive irreversible damage collections can sustain
General Sheridan's Casket Flag is an example of a textile that has suffered damage from past neglect, mishandling, and environmental fluctuations. The silk has 'shattered' and can no longer support itself. The flag requires significant funds to receive an outside conservation treatment for stabilization.
Conservation activities focus on utilizing knowledge and skills in chemistry and material analysis combined with specialized handling and artistic skill to achieve structural and chemical stabilization of individual artifacts through interventive (yet reversible) treatments. Professional conservators have specific advanced training in art, science, and history so that historic objects are not further damaged or have their history of use or historic value erased or compromised. To determine the condition of collections, condition surveys are performed which identify and prioritize collection needs.
New accessions and donations such as this banner from the War of 1812 are
reviewed for pests, mold, and other issues before entering the
collection to prevent cross-contamination.
This portrait of MAJ Charlotte Dyer and LTC George Dyer received minor
cleaning and loss compensation to edges prior to exhibit.
Preservation activities embody actions that benefit whole collections, such as: environmental control and monitoring; integrated Pest Management (IPM); fabrication of artifact housing and storage; and creation of policies and procedures such as a Disaster Plan that minimize risk to collections. The goal of preservation is to prevent damage before it occurs.
Here are some examples of preservation procedures:
Click above to view a short presentation on proper
handling of Army Museum objects
Click HERE for instructions on how to construct a
padded storage mount for a saddle
Many sensitive collection materials require custom support mounts
for long term storage and preservation of their original shape.
This netting, if not properly supported, would wrinkle and eventually distort.
The International Standards Organization's Blue-Wool Standard cards
for measuring exposure to light are included in exhibit cases that
contain light sensitive materials, such as textiles,coated wood,
paper, photographs, and painted materials.
Artifact color documentation and changes in artifact color are also
measured
with a spectrophotometer donated to the conservation
program through the Army War College
Foundation
Intern and Volunteer Opportunities
There are educational intern and volunteer opportunities that engage the public in activities which promote the preservation of collections, such as assisting the conservator in: preparing collections for exhibit and storage; conducting evaluations of exhibit and storage environments (temperature,relative humidity, light levels, etc); and specialized research into material construction, chemistry, and degradation mechanisms.
Students Andrew Layman and Austin Dows from a local high school assess the condition of hundreds of cellulose acetate-based microfilms containing unique historic Army information. The assessment prepared the microfilms for a contractor's effort to repair and duplicate the microfilm onto a more stable polyester medium.
Pennsylvania State (Harrisburg) intern Jason Price removed old discolored
and crystallized saddle soap and leather oils from a Pattern
1859 saddle from the Donald A. Heckaman collection.
A volunteer gently removes heavy oxidation from silver stars in the
AHM collection of General Omar N. Bradley.
The conservation program conforms to the Code of Ethics for the conservation and museum industry as well as Army Regulations. Links to Standards and Resources:
