Randall,

As a conservator with long experience in both wood and metal media
ranging from historic objects to architecture I have to politely
disagree with some of your statements.

The purpose of any thoughtful assessment of an outdoor historic
object, structure, or building must strive to preserve as much of the
original fabric as possible. The old method was to simply exorcise any
damaged wood and to perform new dutchman repairs. A more careful
examination often allows us to determine which damaged areas can be
consolidated, filled, and  toned to be in harmony with the surrounding
surfaces. If you are seeing a deteriorated load-bearing or structural
member then the consideration obviously switches to maximum stability
and safety. There are materials and methods for stabilizing
deteriorated wood in outdoor environments that work - yes, there may
be more montoring and maintenance required but isn't that necessarily
so on any hisotric structure or object? There are also different
approaches to functional objects that we in conservation also
encounter from time-to-time.


I do not agree with the sentiment that the end purpose is to make it
look like it was new. Reproductions are for that purpose. Before I got
into conservation I had a long career as a museum craftsman with more
than abundant public contact (I sometimes demonstrated and interpreted
to 2000 visitors a day). If I learned one essential thing, it is that
the public really does have a deep desire to know and appreciate what
is "original" when they are either looking at a  building or the
smallest of objects.

Historic objects and structures are documents and as such are the
visible archives of our communal built heritage.

I also had many years of close contact and consultation with the
Industrial Archaeology community and I can attest that so much of our
industrial heritage has already been irretrievably lost - to advocate
the carving up of an original structure or object to make it look new
and "preserve" it is something that I would never advocate.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

On 8/1/07, Randall Hees <[log in to unmask]> 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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