The 2011 Preservation Fair Hosted by
Carnegie Museum of Natural History

October 22, 2011, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania… Acquiring and displaying precious objects and family heirlooms is a passion for many people. Preserving personal treasures such as books, photographs, paintings, letters, and textiles, and caring for them over time is the hard part. On October 22, 2011, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Carnegie Museum of Natural History hosts the 2011 Preservation Fair: Preserving Family Treasures. More than 30 conservators and vendors of conservation supplies and services will be on hand to answer questions, give demonstrations, and share information about preservation and conservation. No appraisals or valuations will be provided. The 2011 Preservation Fair is free with museum admission and is a collaborative project of Carnegie Museum of Natural History and University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Sciences.

Informal talks are scheduled throughout the day. Among the featured speakers is Rick Sebak, an award-winning producer for WQED Multimedia whose documentaries celebrate various aspects of modern American life and the charms of Pittsburgh. Family activities include paper- and printmaking. Be sure to stop by the book dunk demonstration (see schedule below) to learn how to salvage water-damaged materials.

Visitors to the fair are encouraged to bring one small item to show the conservators. Basic advice on storage and handling are provided on the spot. Visitors with more complex conservation challenges may connect with an array of conservators who can explore projects in more detail later and help determine courses of action.

Speakers

Noon, Let’s Just Save Everything
Rick Sebak, award-winning producer for WQED Multimedia 

12:30 p.m., Basic Home Movie Care & Preservation
Chad Hunter, Board President & Film Archivist, The Center For Home Movies 

2:30 p.m., Preservation and Digitization: Trends, Techniques, and Reality
Alexis Macklin, Director of the Library & Archives, Heinz History Center
Nyna Banks, Owner, A Door to Memories 

3 p.m., Book Conservation: Treatment of Special Books and the Care of Your Collection
William Minter, William Minter Bookbinding & Conservation, Inc.

Scheduled Demonstrations

10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m., Book Dunk Demonstrations
University of Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences Infinity Student Organization

11 a.m., Paintings & Prints: Preservation Tips
Ellen Baxter, Chief Conservator & Paintings Conservator, Carnegie Museum of Art

11:30 a.m., Carpet Restoration
Nancy Boomhower, Textile Conservation and Restoration Studio

1 p.m., Hand-made Papermaking
Alice J. Mentzer, Art Teacher, Propel School Braddock Hills

1:30 p.m., Boxes & Wrappers You Can Make at Home
Tara Walsh, Preservation Technician, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh
Carolyn Burns, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

2 p.m., Storing an Antique Wedding Dress
Gretchen Anderson, Conservator, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Ongoing Demonstrations

Mounting Plant Specimens
Helen Smith, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Botany

Storage Mounts
Deborah Harding, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Anthropology

Cleaning and Mending Maps
CONSOL Energy Mine Map Preservation Project

Hand-made Papermaking
Alice J. Mentzer, Propel School Braddock Hills, Art Teacher

Agents of Deterioration
Pat Howe, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Public Programs

Agents of Destruction
Gretchen Anderson, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Conservation

Preserving Paper Artifacts
Wendy Bennett, Wendy Bennett Fine Art Paper Conservation

Exhibitors

Agents of Deterioration
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Conservation and Public Programs

Art Conservation
Bernicky-Belman Fine Art Conservation Services

Audio/Video
Preservation Technologies /The Media Preserve

Book and Paper Conservation
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Conservation, Preservation, and Access Department
Preservation Technologies
Wendy Bennett Fine Art Paper Preservation
William Minter Bookbinding & Conservation, Inc.
Csilla Crisanti Paper & Book Conservation

Community Preservation
Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh

Daguerreotypes
Mark S. Johnson, Daguerreotype Consultant

Frames and Framing, Gold Leaf Conservation
Emilie Cohen Studios

Genealogical Societies
Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society

Historical Society
The Senator John Heinz History Center, Library and Archives

Natural History Materials
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Section of Botany

Papermaking
Propel Braddock Hills Elementary School

Photographs
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Photographic Library
University of Pittsburgh, CIDDE, Photo Services
University of Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences

Preservation Supplies
Gaylord Bros. Inc.

Salvage of Water-Damaged Materials
University of Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences, Infinity Student Organization

Storage and Storage Supports
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Anthropology
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections

Textiles
Christine Maurhoff Textile Conservation
Textile Conservation and Restoration Studio

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is among the top natural history museums in the country and is redefining what it means to be a 21st-century natural history museum. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of 22 million objects and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Through five new Centers, Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. More information is available by calling 412.622.3131 or by visiting the website, www.carnegiemnh.org.

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