Conservation of Transport and Industrial Collections

All too often the original surface and materials that make up transport and technology objects are being lost due to over-restoration and inappropriate replacement.  In addition, there is disparity in aims of treatment and level of conservation/restoration of objects, so there is no common approach available as a basis for management, treatment methods, documentation or the consideration of ethics.  Another concern is the lack of any provision for conservation training.   A conservator cannot learn the required engineering skills in a short time, so the transport and technology museum staff might be engineers first and become conservators-restorers second.  There are few opportunities for them to develop a more ethical conservation approach.

The programme

This course delivers the fundamental information needed to understand the role and approach of the conservator involved in the care of a transport collection and to extend their knowledge of conservation principles.  The programme consists of demonstrations, lectures and handling sessions, concentrating on conserving the many different materials encountered in transport collections, preventive conservation, handling, storage and display and environmental monitoring and control.

Topics will include

Recognising the properties of different categories of fabrics, leather, woods, paint and varnish finishes, metals, etc

Recognising the main causes and effects of degradation of the material

Identifying the major environmental parameters for safe handling, storage and display

Understanding the different roles of objects within private and public collections and the influences of these roles on treatment

Understanding basic passive techniques and housekeeping methods

Identifying and discussing the pros and cons of in-situ treatments and treatments involving temporary removal of one or more element of the object.

Current practice

The course will encourage active participation from those attending to foster the spirit of mutual exchange of ideas and experiences.