conservation project profiles
DESCRIPTION
A presentation from 2008 on how textual and visual archival materials were used to create complex and dynamic 30+ page profiles on conservation projects from the past 40 years.TRANSCRIPT
Archival Project Profiles
October 17, 2008
Objectives• To tell a richer story about our 40+
years of architectural preservation • To demonstrate continuing themes
and concerns for building types and geographic regions
• To supply content for our website• To serve as an institutional record• To validate the accessibility and
importance of the archives
Archival Project Profiles• 15-20 pages of text and pictures • WMF projects from 1970s-1990s selected
by Lisa• Diversity of work: fresco cleaning,
structural stability, site management plans
Italy, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Spain, Convento de la Coria
Haiti, Citadelle Henri
Italy, Temple of Hercules
Ireland, Doneraile CourtIreland, Castletown House
Italy, Biblioteca MarcianaItaly, Church of the Pietà
Project Profile Sites
Spain, Ochavo Chapel
Hungary, Eszterháza Castle
Italy, Misericordia Laboratory
France, Hôtel des Invalides Great Britain, St. Mary’s Church
Portugal, Tower of Belém
Sources• Archival Material in Offsite Storage• Digital Archives
Newsletters, Publications, Brochures• Grant Management Database• WMF Publications• Staff Interviews• Video Collection• Library • Internet
1. Introductory Section•After Conservation Picture•Site Name•Location•Date of Construction•Dates of WMF Conservation
2. Project Origin
• Brief summary of events leading to our involvement
• Prior conservation efforts by local, government, or cultural organizations
3. Historical Background and Significance
• Contextualizes structure in history• Discusses design origin, architectural
influences, and local patronage • Introduces political or social catalysts• Identifies architectural innovations,
specialized functions, and community significance
4. Physical Description• Summarizes site layout, architectural
components, and materials • Provides orientation for conservation
issues and areas of concern
5. Site Condition• Describes threats to structural/aesthetic
integrity ranging from environmental conditions to human processes
• Identifies conservation issues caused by previous restorations
6. Project Description and Objectives
• Explains development of the conservation plan to address threats
• Identifies major players in conservation
• Outlines educational objectives (i.e. museum exhibitions) and threat analysis via exploratory methods (i.e. architectural surveys)
7. WMF Collaboration
• Identifies organizations, government offices, and individuals who collaborated with WMF in fundraising and executing project objectives
8. Conservation
• 1-2 pages: the heart of the profile• Recounts conservation phases initiated by
WMF and its collaborators, including local firms
• Examines discoveries, challenges, and innovations
• Explains technical conservation procedures utilized to restore architectural surfaces or reinforce structural stability
9. Recognition and Subsequent Developments
• Records awards and recognition for WMF sponsored conservations at the site
• Traces new conservation concerns, continued WMF commitment, and post-restoration educational programs
10. Archival Holdings• Summarizes our holdings of digital photos,
slides, and prints• Identifies vital archival material by box
number, file name, and contents
11. Photographic Supplement
• 5-20 pictures per profile• 50-word caption, year, and photographer • Best slides and prints• Pièce de résistance: Before and after conservation shots
Digitization• 400+ prints and slides digitized • Most sites had no digital pictures• Metadata: caption, year, photographer, etc.
• File name denotes whether it was before,
during or after conservation
Before Conservation During Conservation
Haiti, Citadelle Henri
Ireland, Doneraile Court
Before Conservation After Conservation
Before Conservation After Conservation
Italy, Biblioteca Marciana
Italy, Church of the Pietà
Before Conservation After Conservation
Italy, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Before Conservation After Conservation
Before Conservation After Conservation
Spain, Convento de la Coria