Toitū is a social history museum. Its collection reflects this and spans a diverse array of types of objects from medals and jewellery, costume, textiles, furniture, technology through to vehicles.
This diversity presents a range of challenges in caring for our collections. Our collections team includes a trained conservator who provides advice, prepares objects for display and carries out conservation research and remedial treatment of objects.
Our conservator advises on preventive conservation methods, such as hazard and pest management, appropriate handling, storage and display of objects. Remedial treatment of objects is essentially aimed at stabilising an object in its current condition rather than restoration to how it may once have looked. This ensures the overall life story of the object and its usage over time is retained.
The tabs at the top of this page include highlights of some of our treatment projects. You can also view a YouTube video of one of our most recent projects – the conservation of a painting, the “Jessie Readman”.
Detail of Painting, showing conservation treatment to repair tearing. Oil on Canvas of the ship Jessie Readman by WB Spencer, 1935/136/2