Perhaps a wooden boat restorer/builder could assist you - many of the same materials undergo restoration here. I would suggest contacting an an east coast boat museum (i.e. Mystic) and ask who has expertise in wood restoration projects.

Shelly Leavens
UW Museology Intern
The Center for Wooden Boats
Seattle, WA

On Wed, 1 Aug 2007, Randall Hees wrote:

> I think you are over defining the object.  I believe a spudder is a drilling 
> rig, primarily used in early shallow oil fields.  I assume it is a primarily 
> wooden tower structure, with iron and steel castings and cables. Rather than 
> look for a conservator with experience in spudders, look for one with 
> experience in wooden industrial structures.
>
>
>
> If it has been left outside for any length of time it will probably need 
> restoration, rather than conservation.  Look for someone from the historic 
> railroad community, a wagon, or windmill conservator/restoration specialist 
> should be able to evaluate the piece and give you an idea of what is needed. In 
> many cases the solution is to replace all the wooden parts.  This sounds 
> extreme to curators used to fine art or other smaller pieces.  In reality, it 
> is the way these objects were cared for when they were used to drill oil wells 
> rather than educate the public.  We have a railroad car in a local collection 
> which was rebuilt, and in the process had all the wood replaced at least twice 
> in its service life.  Restoration will require replacing at least 30% of the 
> wood.
>
>
>
> At the other end of the spectrum, there have been some restorations of these 
> artifacts by use of epoxy consolidators for the wood, and wax finishes for the 
> iron, but unless the object is going to be stored and displayed indoors this 
> not really appropriate.   Additionally, most objects like this have been 
> allowed to deteriorate to a condition which does not represent their appearance 
> when in use.  Conserving them, in this deteriorated state does not really 
> educate the public about the oil business, instead it would be representative 
> of a machinery junk yard.
>
>
>
> Randy Hees
>
> Patterson House at Ardenwood Farm
>
> City of Fremont, California
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kristin Mravinec" 
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 8:32 AM
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Restoration of Spudder Rig
>
>
>> We have an 1918 Wichita Fall Spudder, Model #66 rig in our collection that 
>> the Board has decided to restore. It is a wooden rig with metal components 
>> displayed outdoors without protection. I have been given an August 15th 
>> deadline to come up with a conservator to serve as a consultant because we 
>> are being considered for a centennial grant. Does anyone know of an 
>> conservator or consultant who has experience working with rigs. I will be 
>> checking AIC's website but wanted to narrow down some names first. If 
>> needed, I can attach some photographs of the rig's poor condition.
>> 
>> Kristin
>> 
>> -- 
>> Kristin Mravinec, Curator
>> Greater Southwest Historical Museum
>> 35 Sunset Drive
>> Ardmore, OK 73401
>> Phone: 580.226.3857
>> Fax: 580.226.3857
>> [log in to unmask]
>> 
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