Conservation of Damaged Pieces
   

The Kent State University Museum does not have a professionnal conservator on staff.  The curator is in charge of overseing conservation proceadures.   The curator establishes which garments must be stabilized and explains to volunteers what must be done to protect a piece and stop further deterioration.  The work must be done in a reversible manner: without removing anything and sewing the piece so the work could be undone in the future.  The Kent State University Museum does not wash, wet clean, spot clean or apply any treatment that could damage a piece irreversibly.  When in need of cleaning treatment, the museum consults a professionnal conservator.

There are several on line sites on conservation.  We recommand the following publications and Web sites:

 

Taking Care of Historic Costume and Textiles
Information on Costume Mounting
Preservation Tips for New Garments
Anne Bissonnette, Curator, Kent State University Museum.

Guidelines for Costume
Prepared by The International Council of Museums (ICOM),
Committee for Museums and Collections of Costumes
Web site with guidelines for collecting, accessioning, caring and storing costumes.

Conservation OnLine
Resources for Conservation Professionals
Web site with citations to such topics as museum environmental and ethical concerns,
mold and mildew and health and safety biohazards.

Caring for Textiles
by The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
Discusses environmental factors, light, temperature and relative humidity,
pollution and airborne soils, housing, housekeeping and handling as well as
disaster planning. Gives useful bibliographic references and discusses when to contact a conservator.

 

Recommanded Publications of Individual Costume Collectors:
   

   
Your Vintage Keepsake:
A CSA Guide to Costume Storage and Display
by Margaret T. Ordoñez

This publication
is available at the
museum store

 

 

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