Over the past several months the Braidwood & District Historical Society has been working on a conservation and archiving project which seeks to ensure the preservation of the treasures contained within the museum.
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With the help of QPRC, a grant has been obtained to facilitate new equipment and supply purchases. The grant has enabled the museum to implement an extensive conservation program that will see the objects are cared for in an environment that ensures the history of Braidwood is stored safely and securely.
The new program seeks to improve the museum’s practice enabling the long term security of the objects held, which allows for many exciting stories of the town and its surrounds to be told.
The museum is run by a team of dedicated volunteers whose passion is to tell the Braidwood story.
With the assistance of museum conservator Nathan Pharaoh, the museum is drawing upon its local talent to implement the changes at the museum.
‘‘When I first walked into the Braidwood museum, I realised the potential for the museum to play an important part in the community,” Mr Pharaoh said. “The museum has many significant items within its unique facility. These objects can help interpret the important role the town of Braidwood has played in shaping the nation.”
The effects of age, deterioration and environmental impacts can have adverse consequences for the objects held in trust.
Many of the objects in the museum are 150 years old or more.
One of the recent additions to the museums equipment is a chest freezer. This freezer allows the conservation volunteers to deep freeze objects like textiles and taxidermy to kill off any pests that are eating objects.
Objects are quarantined, boxed and prepared in manner that ensures they can be frozen to a temperature of -20°C for a period of 14 days. After this period they are cleaned and prepared for display.
This vastly improves the longevity of the collection. The methods employed by the Braidwood Museum to look after the collection are the same as those by museums worldwide.
Historical society president, Peter Smith says, “The conservation project is focused on ensuring the collection is safe, so that the community will be able to see the physical connections to this special place for many years to come. Having Nathan instructing our volunteers in professional conservation practices ensures we are on the right track to protect our valuable collection.”
If you would like to volunteer at the Braidwood museum and learn more about the museum practices implemented, please see the website at www.braidwoodmuseum.org.au.
