Conservation Treatment of Milestone Objects
Related to the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
Speakers:
Claudia Chemello, Terra Mare Conservation, LLC
Paul Mardikian, Terra Mare Conservation, LLC
Joseph Sembrat, EverGreene Architectural Arts
Lisa Young, Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Chair:
Malcolm Collum, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of objects related to Apollo 11, a mission that represents one of the most remarkable achievements in human history. In anticipation of the upcoming 50th anniversary, conservators have a window of opportunity to re-examine and treat some of our Nation’s most historic objects.
This panel will discuss recovery of the Apollo 11 Saturn V engine components that was prompted by the anniversary, and these amazing archaeological finds will be displayed for the first time. Three other flight ready Saturn V rocket engines displayed at NASA centers across the U.S. were also treated, and after years of display (some outdoors) were stabilized for permanent display inside new exhibitions. Lastly, the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, was removed from display at NASM, examined, treated and prepared for a two-year nationwide tour. These three projects represent varying approaches to conservation treatment of these challenging objects, and the collaboration of teams of people to successfully prepare the objects for display.