| Introduction
In
July, 2003, conservators Catharine Hawks and Joan Gorman conducted
a general conservation assessment of the specimens and foreground
(Hawks), and background painting (Gorman) of the historic Laysan
Island Cyclorama at the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
(UIMNH). The conservation assessment was funded in part by a grant
from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The
Laysan Island Cyclorama was opened to the public in 1914. Painstaking
research by the scientific staff, especially Professor Homer R.
Dill, careful specimen preparation by taxidermist C. J. Albrecht,
and months of sketching by artist C.A. Corwin resulted in a remarkably
faithful reconstruction of the island habitat as it appeared before
it was irreparably damaged by invasive species carelessly introduced
from passing ships.
Because
it so eloquently testifies to issues still in the forefront of biological
and social sciences today, the Laysan Island Cyclorama is an enduring
American treasure. Many of the earliest efforts to educate the public
about species diversity and conservation have disappeared from museums,
leaving the erroneous impression that what is expressed in new exhibits
is entirely new knowledge. The Cyclorama is unique in America, important
to the history of science, and an exquisite blend of art and nature.
It serves as a poignant reminder that a century of effort has not
yet brought a clear mandate for environmental conservation and that
today's understanding of the concept owes much to a dedicated group
of enlightened Iowa scientists and their colleagues.
Recommendations
- Contact
area legislators and develop a Save AmericaÕs Treasures project
proposal for conservation of the cyclorama. It clearly meets all
the criteria for such a grant. There is also the possibility that
given the art conservation aspects of the project, it would merit
funding from the Getty Conservation Grants program. Incorporate
in the project: care of the cyclorama itself: care of the specimens
in the research collection and their original labels; care of
all other documentary materials related to the Laysan Island expeditions;
further development of the Web site about the cyclorama; additional
research into the history of the expeditions and the display;
and interpretive exhibits about the conservation work.
- As
part of the conservation project, arrange for a conservator to
train staff, students, and possibly volunteers in cleaning techniques
for mounted specimens, eggs, and foliage and other foreground
materials. The same conservator can also teach a workshop on re-housing
methods for natural science research collections and care of the
labels attached to the specimens.
- Arrange
for various analyses as described in the attached report. Most
of could be undertaken at the University of Iowa, given its resources
as a major research institution.
- Arrange
for a conservator to undertake any minor treatments that may be
necessary to stabilize the specimens and any of the foreground
materials.
- Purchase
powder-coated steel cabinets to house the research collection
and re-house the specimens and labels in the cabinets according
to the recommendations in the attached report.
- Arrange
for paper conservators, photographic conservators, and paintings
conservators to address the needs of the other materials relevant
to the cyclorama.
Catharine
Hawks
July 2003
(Contact
the Museum for further details about the assessment and recommendations.)
Return
to Conservators' Visit page
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