Conservation Diaries

Glimpse behind the scenes to see the work conservators do everyday, preserving history

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

It's holiday time for Conservation Diaries for a couple of weeks.
If you'd like to take part and complete 1 year of tweets - email [email protected]

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Thank you so much Evelyn! Plastics are at the forefront our thoughts for so many reasons these days.

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

sorry images reversed image one is kerosene and asbestos image two is lead and arsenic, image three is matches, mercury and gun powder

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Hazards that can lurk in your collection. image one left to right; matches, mercury and gunpowder; image two left to right; kerosene and asbestos; image three left to right; lead and arsenic

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

For a conservator this might be too basic but I found it quite helpful https://t.co/S3ZW4c2jqy

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

I am hoping that someday a conservator will discover how to stop the degradation of plastic. Image of parts of our cellulose collection. The brush was located beside a mirror that had literally crumbled. The accession number on the brush is also lost with the corrosion.

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Thanks for your replies. In Canada CCI has been doing studies into modern material and publishing tech notes which are cery good. still disheartening to know we still are helpless to halt this.

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

@anosro @sairarias We have isolated them and are storing them in the freezer

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

@ntmcminn Very true. Most of our pkastics would probably be some type of cellulose

[Marcus Wardle @MarcusDWardle]

@ConsDiaries I believe I heard of a study being done into the preservation of plastics which is funded with EU grant money!

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

@MarcusDWardle Wow it is like seeing them deteriorate before your eyes

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

@conserve_lfcp Good luck!

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

First damage for the week. Staff are trained well on how to fill out damage reports. Now to repair or replace?

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Bottom layer

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

One of our lovely volunteers has a skill for rehousing. Yes I have trained her to look for the right archival grade plastic and paper. This is part of our jewelry collection.

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Help I need a conservator! Found this on an organ in our 1890 Anglican church. It did not come to us this way. Yes that is duct tape.

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

And don't forget to send an email to [email protected] to book your week

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Evelyn started out at the Nova Scotia Museums and now with 35 years experience, she is Collections Manager at Kings Landing. One of Evelyn's many other roles is a certified Archives Appraiser.

[Conservation Diaries @ConsDiaries]

Tune in next week for a trip to Canada with Collections Manager Evelyn Fidler