I'm Christen Runge, a grad student in George Washinton Univ's Museum
Studies program. For a research project, I'm working with Historic
Alexandria, Virginia's Archaeology office. I am in search of information on
a Civil War-era fire bucket made of (vulcanized) rubberized canvas.

One of these was excavated last year from a site in Old Town Alexandria and
we want to learn more about it.

History and use info would be great. I'm also looking for conservation
treatment and storage suggestions from anyone with experience in
archaeological rubber. The bucket is currently waterlogged and is in wet
storage; it was excavated from a wet, anaerobic environment--it was in a
privy!

Any replies, on or off-list, are welcome.
Thank you,

Christen Runge
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