Architectural Conservation Methods Used at Menokin and Hands-On Techniques for Everyone June 25-28, 2009 May 8, 2009
Posted by history in : Uncategorized , add a commentHistoric Menokin, Warsaw, Virginia (located in the Northern Neck, 90 miles south of Washington, DC and 50 miles east of Richmond)
This workshop is co-sponsored by the Menokin Foundation and Rappahannock Community College (RCC), and is geared to architects, craftspeople, contractors, historic site administrators and the public-at-large. The course will provide an intensive overview of historic building techniques, and the conservation of historic masonry and wood elements, using Menokin, now in partial ruin, as a teaching laboratory. A session on making and applying 18th century wall and trim paints will be offered for the first time as well. Professional continuing education credits are offered through RCC.
Please follow this link for more information on the 2009 program. And please pass this e-mail along to anyone you think would be interested!
http://www.menokin.org/2009summerworkshop.htm
If you have questions, contact the Menokin Foundation at: 804-333-1776; menokin@menokin.org
Paid Internships in Outdoor Sculpture Conservation January 5, 2009
Posted by history in : Internships, Opportunities , add a commentThis is a great opportunity for those students interested in hands-on conservation work!
The Central Park Conservancy, with a grant from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, is offering summer internships in outdoor sculpture conservation. The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of Central Park. For more information look at the Central Park Conservancy Website at www.centralparknyc.org
Interns will be involved in the hands-on examination, documentation, preservation and conservation of the bronze and stone sculpture in Central Park, New York City. Duties of the interns and listing of projects for the summer is attached. Applicants must be graduate students or recent graduates in historic preservation or objects conservation.
The internship period will be from June 1st to August 7th and will pay approximately $14 dollars per hour. Those interested should respond with a cover letter and C.V. or resume no later than April 3, 2009 to:
M.C.Reiley
Associate Director of Preservation and Conservation
Central Park Conservancy
79th Street Maintenance Yard
Central Park
New York, NY 10024
Cell: 347 236-9461
Fax: 1 212 535 0448
mreiley@centralparknyc.org
Monuments Conservation Internship Program
This year’s Kress Foundation Internship Program will run for ten weeks, from June 1st to August 7th, 2009. Hours are from 7 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Interns will be chosen from a competitive pool of applicants to perform a wide variety of preservation and conservation activities including the regular maintenance of the Park’s sculpture as well as select special projects. Matthew C. Reiley, the Conservancy’s Associate Director of Preservation & Conservation and experienced crew members will supervise the interns. Summer housing is available at Columbia University. Check availability at ch2124@columbia.edu.
Regular Maintenance
The interns are an integral part of our continuing efforts to maintain the Park’s fifty-one bronze & stone monuments in pristine condition. Interns will be working in an urban park setting and will be required to safely operate park vehicles and machinery under supervision. Interns should be physically capable of lifting heavy objects and working from a boom lift and scaffolding.
This summer the interns will conduct routine maintenance on the collection, cleaning each piece with a non‑ionic detergent and applying a sacrificial, carnauba-based wax coating to protect the bronze. As in past years, interns will also conduct condition assessments on each of the monuments and document their findings. Interns will gain valuable knowledge about bronze casting techniques, outdoor corrosion processes in an urban environment and varieties and application of patina, finishes and coatings, by working on a wide variety of sculptures of different ages, conditions and conservation needs.
Special Projects ( priority and schedule permitting)
Bethesda Terrace and the Angel of the Waters Fountain
Bethesda Terrace is a work of architectural and decorative genius that has been the central formal feature of the Park since its inception. The terrace contains many ornate sandstone carvings of birds, plants, and seasonal motifs. As with past years, interns will continue to be involved in the replacement of missing bird heads, etc. and will be taught the basics of stone carving, dutchman repair, patching and mortar replication and repair.
The Angel of the Waters (1868) fountain by Emma Stebbins is dedicated to the healing powers of the water of New York’s Croton Reservoir water system. Interns will first carefully remove the existing, failed coating and clean the bronze. Chemical patination and application of a corrosion inhibiting coating on the figure and upper fountain basin will be completed. Nearby, the ornate flagpoles or “gonfalons” require assessment and conservation.
In 2002, the CPC and the Kress Interns made an inventory of missing decorative pieces, created molds and had them cast in bronze. Replacement of missing applied bronze ornaments on the lower fountain basin and mortar repointing on the carved bluestone base completes the scope of this year’s conservation activity at Bethesda Fountain.
Pulitzer Fountain (1913-1916)
Publisher Joseph Pulitzer’s bequest to the City of New York and Central Park is a proud example of the City Beautiful movement. Sculptor Karl Bitter’s Pomona, the goddess of abundance, crowns the Italian Renaissance-inspired fountain. The bronze figure’s coating requires restoration. Kress interns will assist with removal of the failed coating, cleaning, patination and application of a new, water resistant corrosion inhibiting coating.
Sherman Monument
Located in Grand Army Plaza, the statue was created in 1892-1903 by Augustus Saint-Gaudens- the most highly regarded American sculptor of his time. The statue portrays General William Tecumseh Sherman on horseback led by an allegorical figure of Victory striding forward with an upraised arm.
The loss of gilding from the surface of the monument has become significant due to weathering and the large number of pigeons “resting” on the monument. This year interns will explore the options of pigeon control and assist in re-gilding areas of loss. They will also witness and compare the results of recent testing- the objective of which was to identify suitable VOC- compliant coating systems, which will work in conjunction with the intricately gilt finish of the artist’s original intent.
Mosaic Maintenance
The Imagine and Hunt mosaics, created to commemorate John Lennon and Richard Morris Hunt respectively, are in stable condition, due in part, to the work of past summer interns. This year’s interns will monitor the condition of the recent repairs and when necessary, will re-grout and replace missing tiles. After any repairs are completed interns will clean the mosaics and apply a sealant.
The Polish King
Representing Poland at the World’s Fair in Queens in 1939, King Jagiello by S.K. Ostrowski has found a permanent home in Central Park. The iron armature supporting this large equestrian bronze is deteriorating and must be removed and replaced with stainless steel as it is causing damage to the sculpture’s base. Using a boroscope, interns will help assess the condition of the existing armature and make recommendations for its removal, design and fabrication of the new stainless steel armature and the sculpture’s reinstallation on its base. Project progress permitting, interns may be involved in the forming, welding and patination of the bronze in damaged areas. Additionally, they will learn from first hand experience the New York City Arts Commission approval process.
Alternate projects
Jose de San Martin - Sealing of pedestal’s polished granite cladding panel joints.
Guisseppe Mazzini -Chemical patination and coating application
Conclusion
Keeping the monuments and statues in Central Park in pristine condition takes a great deal of hard work and special dedication. The Samuel H. Kress Foundation has played a critical role in helping the Conservancy maintain this important program. The Foundation’s support makes a real difference in our ability to preserve and protect the sculptures and historic monuments in Central Park.