Institute on World War II Artifact Assessment Project

FAIN: PG-50308-08

Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL 32306-0001)
Joan E. Denman (Project Director: May 2007 to June 2008)

Hiring a preservation consultant to assess the university's collection of materials related to World War II and to examine the storage capacity and preservation needs of the objects. One hundred items will be selected for a more thorough conservation assessment. Items in the collection include: textiles; leather, grass, straw, and wooden objects; Japanese and Nazi flags; pilot's jackets, military uniforms, and helmets; and World War II radio equipment.

A sampling assessment survey of selected three-dimensional objects will evaluate the current containerization and preservation methods for artifacts held by the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience. This assessment will assist the institute's staff in developing long-term collections care plans and in prioritizing conservation tasks. By focusing on selected objects (approximately 100) such as distinctive flags, noteworthy leather articles, straw items, pillow covers, wooden paintings and fans, and assorted cloth armbands, the sampling assessment will pinpoint not only unique items in the institute's collections for future exhibits, but will also determine what conservation remedies are needed for the more fragile items. A professional conservator will be hired for this project