Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:37 pm
From: "National Air and Space Museum"
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March 2008
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There's a difference between "preserving" and "restoring" an artifact.
"Preserving" is taking steps to prolong its existence by minimizing chemical and physical deterioration through minimal intervention. If, for instance, original finishes are in relatively good condition, or there is no active corrosion or structural issues, Museum specialists will usually preserve the object before it goes on display or into storage.
"Restoring" an object to an earlier appearance or working condition is often a much more involved process. If the finishes are beyond saving or structural integrity is compromised, the Museum will tackle the larger job of restoration, which usually entails a complete teardown, treatment of all components, refinishing, and then reassembly.
The decision to preserve or restore an artifact is usually determined by the object's condition and the level of corrosion that is present. For instance, the Saturn V rocket that had been stored outside for many years at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, was badly deteriorated and needed extensive restoration. Now that it has been restored, the rocket is now being housed with ideal environmental conditions in a climate-controlled building which will help preserve it for many generations to come.