MS223: Care of Metals
Dates:  Apr 12 - May 7, 2010
Price: $475     
Instructor: Helen Alten
Location: online at www.museumclasses.org

Description:
Outdoor sculpture, silver tea service, gold jewelry, axe
head, wheel rim - metals are found in most museum
collections stored or displayed indoor or outdoors
depending on the object. Learn how to identify different
types of metal and their alloys. Gain an understanding of
how and why metals deteriorate and methods for preventing
deterioration from occurring or continuing. The pros and
cons of different popular treatments will be covered along
with recommendations for the least damaging approach to
treatment. Care of Metals provides a simplified explanation
of the chemistry and structure of metals, explaining the
importance of the galvanic series and electrochemistry in
care strategies. Starting with an overview of the history
and function of metals and how they are made, the course
will cover guidelines for handling, labeling, exhibiting
and storing metals. An overview of treatments, including
cleaning, used on metals and how appropriate they are for
the long-term preservation of the metal object will help
students make care decisions when consulting with
conservators.

Course Outline:
1. Introduction
2. History, chemical and physical properties of metals
3. Fabrication technology
4. Documentation and Condition Report Writing
5. Metals and the Environment
6. Handling Metals
7. Treating Metals
8. Care of Metals in Storage
9. Care of Metals on Exhibit
10. Conclusion

Logistics:
Participants in Care of Metals work through sections on
their own. Materials and resources include online
literature, slide lectures and dialog between students and
the instructor through online forums. The course is limited
to 20 participants.

Care of Metals runs four weeks. To reserve a spot in the
course, please pay at
http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html If you have
trouble please contact Helen Alten at
[log in to unmask]

The Instructor:
Helen Alten, is the Director of Northern States
Conservation Center and its chief Objects Conservator. For
nearly 30 years she has been involved in objects
conservation, starting as a pre-program intern at the
Oriental Institute in Chicago and the University Museum of
the University of Pennsylvania. She completed a degree in
Archaeological Conservation and Materials Science from the
Institute of Archaeology at the University of London in
England. She has built and run conservation laboratories in
Bulgaria, Montana, Greece, Alaska and Minnesota. She has a
broad understanding of three-dimensional materials and
their deterioration.  She was the Save Outdoor Sculpture!
coordinator for Alaska, wrote and edited the quarterly
Collections Caretaker, maintains the popular
www.collectioncare.org web site and lectures throughout the
United States on collection care topics. Helen Alten has
been a Field Education Director, Conservator, and staff
trainer. She began working with people from small, rural,
and tribal museums while the state conservator for Montana
and Alaska. Helen currently conducts conservation
treatments and operates a conservation center in
Charleston, WV and St. Paul, MN.

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