The University of Arizona
 
Conservator excavates preserved basketry fragments from block lifted ceramicConservation scientist examines feathered object for pesticide residues

Preservation

Arizona State Museum's Preservation Division actively supports and promotes the museum's policy to preserve and protect the collections entrusted to its care. The treatment of objects is guided by the principle that the integrity of the object should be preserved in every way possible.

To meet the ethical, legal and educational concerns related to these responsibilities, and to maintain the highest standards of practice and to provide reliable advice, assistance, and information on the most current knowledge and practices, ASM conservators collaborate with museum colleagues, University of Arizona departments, as well as regional, national, and international cultural communities, institutions, and related agencies.

ASM has long placed a high priority on conservation and collections care. In the late 1970s the Arizona Board of Regents approved a faculty-level conservator position for the museum, which hastened the establishment of the state's first museum conservation laboratory at ASM. In the 1980s, curricula for the care of archaeological and ethnographic collections, as well as an emergency response manual for university museums, were developed and published. Both remain international standards to this day.

Now housed in a state-of-the-art facility, the conservation laboratory is staffed by Nancy Odegaard, Ph.D. (conservator), Teresa Moreno, M.A., M.A. (associate conservator), Gina Watkinson (administrative assistant), and numerous dedicated volunteers and students. With collaborative support from museum staff, the lab provides preventive and interventive conservation of ASM's vast collections, serves the public through workshops and queries, instructs scores of conservation students, and continues to conduct cutting-edge research.

Funded by sources including the National Science Foundation; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the National Endowment for the Arts; the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology; and the Bay Paul, Kress, Stockman, Gutmann, and Getty Foundations, investigations conducted in the lab include:

  • characterization tests for objects of art and archaeology
  • testing of pesticide residues on museum objects
  • new protocols for ceramic care
  • integrated pest management systems
  • conservation science curriculum development

For more information, contact us by email or at (520) 621-6314

State Museum Receives National Award for World-Class Preservation Initiatives

Arizona State Museum has received a national award for its care and preservation of the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of Southwest Indian pottery.

The 2008 National Preservation Award for Demonstrated Excellence and Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections was presented to the museum in recognition of its decades-long dedication to care of its vast and varied collections. The award specifically cites the museum's care of its renowned 20,000+ whole vessel collection of Southwest Indian pottery. This award, presented by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and Heritage Preservation, is a very high honor—almost the equivalent of an Oscar in the field of collection care and preservation.

ASM Director Beth Grindell said the award recognizes not only the museum's long-term dedication to the care of its collections but the world-class and visionary work of Head Conservator Nancy Odegaard. "ASM has never thought of conservation and collections care as a luxury, they are absolute necessities at this museum."

In the late 1970s the museum established the state’s first museum conservation laboratory. To this day, it is still the only museum lab in Arizona. In the '80s the lab, then under Odegaard's direction, developed and published object care and emergency response guidelines that remain international standards. She also pioneered chemical spot testing and chemical-free pest control standards that were immediately adopted worldwide.

Odegaard is one of a few conservators to be called on to assist with famous and significant anthropological specimens such as Kennewick Man (U.S.), Lucy (Ethiopia), and the Chinchorro Mummies (Chile). Among many professional associations, Odegaard is a Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation and a Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation.

"Nancy is recognized worldwide for her pioneering research and high standards in collections care. Her comprehensive conservation program at Arizona State Museum has put the museum on the international stage when it comes to collections care. Arizona State Museum has received this award for committing and adhering to the standards Nancy has set," Eryl P. Wentworth, executive director of AIC said.

Arizona State Museum celebrated the completion and grand opening of The Pottery Project in May 2008. Prior to that, ASM's famed collection had been stored in five different storerooms in two historic buildings and was in danger of deterioration and significant damage due to environments that left the vessels susceptible to temperature and humidity variations. Odegaard’s vision and designs for The Pottery Project resulted in a $3.5 million climate-controlled storage vault, a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory, and a new exhibit gallery.

“We are delighted to recognize the Arizona State Museum’s sustained commitment to the care and preservation of its remarkable collection. In particular, the museum’s work on The Pottery Project is exemplary for its enthusiastic volunteer and fundraising participation of both local and national community members,” Larry Reger, president of Heritage Preservation said.

In 2000 The Pottery Project received federal recognition in the form of official status in the Save America’s Treasures program—a Clinton White House preservation initiative. In 2005 the collection was recognized and named an Arizona Treasure by Governor Janet Napolitano.  

Funding for The Pottery Project came from the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Mrs. Agnese Nelms Haury, from numerous generous individuals around the state and across the country, and from federal granting agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology, the NAGPRA grant program, and the National Science Foundation.