Our sessions highlight the ideas and innovations shaping the field today—connecting conservators, scientists, and practitioners through shared expertise, emerging technologies, and evolving best practices in historic preservation.

MONUMENTAL MURAL, MONUMENTAL STRAIN

Conservator Health in the NASM Project: Challenges in the Care and Preservation of Conservators

Presented by Katey Corda

Between 2019 and 2020, conservators removed five monumental murals from the National Air and Space Museum in preparation for asbestos abatement and building renovation, requiring the team worked inside negative-air containment wearing full protective equipment. This presentation uses the project as a case study to examine the demands placed on conservators during large-scale treatments. The talk will share practical strategies developed during the project to support safer and more sustainable conservation practice. Link to abstract

THURSDAY, APRIL 30
8:45–10:15am

STRONG CHALLENGES, STRONGER WOMEN

The Truth of being a Pregnant Woman within the Realm of Architectural Conservation

Presented by Brooke Russell

Architectural conservation sits at the intersection of preservation practice and the construction industry where women make up a significant portion of the workforce. However, pregnancy remains inadequately addressed in policies and day-to-day practice, particularly on active job sites. This presentation examines challenges including construction-site safety protocols, physical labor expectations, environmental exposures, and scheduling constraints and discusses strategies to develop clearer policies and a more supportive professional culture. Link to abstract

THURSDAY, APRIL 30
8:45–10:15am 

DECISION MAKING FOR A WHOLE AND ITS PARTS

Conservation & Installation of the Mallorcan Stairway and Gallery at the Princeton University Art Museum

Presented by Kelly Caldwell

What story should be told and how does it shape conservation decisions? This presentation examines these issues through the conservation of the 15th–16th century limestone Stairway and Gallery from Palma de Mallorca in the collection of the Princeton University Art Museum. The monumental ensemble was deinstalled, conserved, and reinterpreted. This case study highlights the collaborative work required among curators, conservators, engineers, and contractors to balance conservation practice, interpretation, and the realities of large-scale architectural installation. Link to abstract

SATURDAY, MAY 2
2–5pm

CONSERVATION SCIENCE

Assessment Of A Novel Application Of Peptide Mass Fingerprinting (PMF) For The Identification of Distemper Paints in Architectural Finishes

Co-Presented by Brooke Russell

This study explores the use of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) with MALDI-TOF—a highly sensitive technique for identifying collagen-based materials—to analyze architectural distemper finishes. Brooke Russell collaborated with Catherine Matsen of Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library to test the method on mock-up distemper paint samples and historic architectural finishes. Results highlight both the promise and limitations of PMF for detecting collagen binders and emphasize the importance of continued collaboration between architectural conservators and conservation scientists. Link to abstract

SATURDAY, MAY 2
2–5pm