Please forward or distribute as appropriate.

Sally Shelton
Director, Collections Care and Conservation

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|                                                                       |
|                 San Diego Natural History Museum                      |
|                          P. O. Box 1390                               |
|                San Diego, California   92112  USA                     |
|             phone (619) 232-3821; FAX (619) 232-0248                  |
|                     email [log in to unmask]                          |
|                                                                       |
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 16:08:55 +0100 (BST)
From: Chris Collins <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Course Details (fwd)


Sally - Attached revised dates and details -

Chris
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 15:52:32 +0100 (BST)
From: Chris Collins <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Course Details

Please find attached revised details on the Care and Conservation of
Natural Materials Course to be run at the University of Cambridge.

Due to problems with participants getting grant-aid we have decided to
move the course to the end of the year to give potential participants
more time to gain grant-aid.

We already have several places booked so if you are interested in
attending the course then please express an interest to me so that i can
reserve space.

Chris Collins


Certificate in the Care and Conservation of
Natural Science Materials

November 17th - December 19th 1997

Venue:  Geological Conservation Unit, Department of Earth Sciences,
University of Cambridge

Natural science Collections contain a wide variety of materials of both
inorganic and organic origin which are of educational, scientific and
economic value.  The management and conservation of natural science
collections is therefore vitally important to the safe-guarding of this
important resource.  Natural Science Materials are also found in other
areas. such as ethnography, stone, or textiles collections;  the courses
will therefore not only appeal to people responsible for the care of
natural science collections and existing natural science conservators but
also conservators working with similar materials in other areas, such as
ethnography and archaeology.

This 5 week course  will cover natural science materials from a modern
conservation perspective whilst still dealing with the more traditional
crafts approach to the field.  It will discuss their treatments in light
of approaches to similar materials in other areas of conservation and
will also look at traditional methods of preparing and conserving this
material. The course will cover the chemistry of these materials, control
of deterioration (from both a passive and an active perspective) and
collections maintenance.

People who complete the course will have a solid overview of the factors
which influence  the deterioration of natural science materials and how
these  collections are maintained and conservation problems can be
resolved.

The course will include a large element of hands-on conservation relating
to natural science materials.

It is possible to arrange for individuals to take portions of the
course.  If you are interested in this then please contact Chris Collins
at the address below.

Course Details:

Number of places on course: 10 - 12
Course Cost GBP 1100

Costs will cover all tuition fees, the course manual, site visits, tea
and coffee.  Lunch will be provided at a small extra cost if desired.


Accommodation

Accommodation will be arranged separately depending on participants
requirements.  College accommodation will be available at a cost of GBP 22
bed and breakfast per night.

Course Structure

Week 1  Preventive Conservation for Natural History Collections

Introduction to Course
Introduction to materials
        Inorganic
        Organic
Agents of deterioration
Value and Understanding of Materials
Ethics and Documentation
Legal problems
Site Conservation and Collecting
Surveying Collections

Environmental Monitoring and Control
                Pest control and Monitoring
                Environmental Control
                        Micro-environments
        Storage Techniques
        storage materials
        practical problems and solutions
        Anoxic Storage

standards in the care of collections

Week  2 - 3  Material Science

Starting with whole object

        status and information of object
        material science of object
        preparation of material (and affects on original object)
        deterioration mechanisms

Investigative techniques

Oxygen in the environment
Water in the environment

Identification of deterioration
                organic
                inorganic

Week 4-5 Conservation and Preparation Methodology

Conservation Methodology

Traditional Techniques of Preparation
                Taxidermy, preparation and display of skins
                geological preparation
                entomological preparation
                botanical preparation techniques
                casting and moulding techniques

Conservation Project

Paper chemistry
Techniques in conservation of paper

Problems. treatments and solutions
        de-acidification
        mineral oxidation and hydration
        cleaning

        Resins and Adhesives

For more information please contact:

Chris Collins
Geological Conservation Unit
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Cambridge
Madingley Rise, Madingley Road
Cambridge CB3 OEZ

tel: +44 (0)1223 362522 fax; +44 (0)1223 366860
e-mail: [log in to unmask]