Caring for outdoor objects Source: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Caring for outdoor objects is part of CCI’s Preventive conservation guidelines for collections online resource. This section presents key aspects of managing the care of objects in heritage collections in an outdoor setting based on the principles of preventive conservation and risk management. Typical objects accessioned […]
Collection Materials Archives: Metals
How to Make and Use Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Silver Polish
How to Make and Use Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Silver Polish Source: This video was created by the Canadian Conservation Institute and is included in CCI Note 9/11 How to Make and Use a Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Silver Polish. This video and the cited Note discuss how to prepare and use silver polish made with precipitated […]
Silver – Care and Tarnish Removal
Silver – Care and Tarnish Removal Source: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 9/7 A thin layer of dark tarnish can quickly destroy the surface lustre of silver. This layer consists mainly of black silver sulphide, and is caused by sulphur containing compounds such as hydrogen sulphide in the air. Tarnish can be removed from silver […]
Preparing Silica Gel for Contained Storage of Metal Objects
Preparing Silica Gel for Contained Storage of Metal Objects Source: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 9/14 Many metal objects in museum collections will have already corroded due to exposure to moisture before becoming a part of the collection. The extent to which this happens will vary depending on several factors that include the type of […]
Storage of Metals
Storage of Metals Source: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 9/2 Most metals corrode: iron rusts, copper turns green, silver turns black, and lead disintegrates into a white powder. Stored improperly, most of the metals in a museum collection will slowly transform into oxides, sulphides, carbonates, or other compounds. The corrosion processes are faster on metal […]
Preparing Historic Motorized Vehicles for Storage or Exhibit
Preparing Historic Motorized Vehicles for Storage or Exhibit: Conserv-O-Gram 10-03 Source: National Park Service (NPS) Although vehicles are supposed to be treated with the same care as any other artifact in a historic collection. care of these vehicles traditionally has been regarded as an exception to conservation principles. As a consequence, the pressure to restore […]
Larger & Working Objects: a guide to standards in their preservation and care
Larger & Working Objects: a guide to standards in their preservation and care Source: The Collections Trust (UK) In 1997, the first edition of Larger & Working Objects: A guide to standards in their preservation and care, was issued, written by Stephen Ball and edited by Peter Winsor. This has now been revised and adapted […]
Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling Training Series
Winterthur Museum in-house training video series (2013) Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling General Session, Introduction Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling, Chapter 1, Objects Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling, Chapter 2, Textiles Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling, Chapter 3, Paper Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling, Chapter 4, Books Winterthur Museum, Care in Handling, Chapter 5, Paintings […]
Preservation Self-Assessment Program (PSAP)
Preservation Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) Source: A free online tool that helps collection managers prioritize efforts to improve conditions of collections.
Tips for Collections Care
Tips for Collections Care Source: Winterthur Museum, Gardens, and Library Did you ever wonder how to care for your silver, if you should wax your furniture, where you can get acid-free paper and mat board or what is the best way to dust? Winterthur’s Conservation staff has summarized key information here and placed links to […]