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This is one of the objects from the
Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Take a
closer look at this object. Have
you ever seen an object like this? What
is this object? What
do you think it is used for? How
is it decorated? |
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In this web activity, you will look at
this object inside and out, much like a museum conservator does. A museum
conservator is someone who works to keep objects, photographs, and
materials from becoming damaged or falling apart so they last a long time.
If an object is damaged, a conservator will study it, determine a
treatment, and work to make sure that further damage will not occur. Conservators are the “bridge”
between science and content, such as history or art, because they have to
know about several subject areas to do their work. Conservators use
science but they also have to know about the history of an object. Art
conservators often study art so they know about art techniques. Being a museum conservator is like being a detective. You start with questions. Next, you look for clues and evidence that answer your questions. Looking at the object and studying similar ones can give you clues. Scientific tools can give you evidence. People who know about the history of the object or who have made similar ones can also help you. |
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