Mellon Grant Launches Campaign for Directorship
The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) was awarded a challenge grant of $1.75 million by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, to establish an endowment for the MCI directorship. In order to realize the challenge, MCI must raise $3.25 million to fully endow at $5 million the directorship at MCI. With this challenge grant the institution has the ability to permanently name the directorship for a single gift of $3.25 million... more...
New Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Laboratory provides critical data to identify US Airways bird strike as migratory Canada Geese
The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) scientists, working with researchers at the Natural Zoological Park (NZP), the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board, analyzed elemental isotopes from frather remains from the January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 bird strike. more...
Proteomics identifies the flora and fauna in archaeological and
ethnographic objects
The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is developing proteomics capabilities as a part of the Institution's central research infrastructure - the Mass Spectrometry Center. Proteomics, the large-scale study of protein structure and function, allows more...
The science of conserving ancient Mongolian monoliths
Deer Stones, Mongolia's mysterious ancient monuments, are the country's most important archaeological treasures and some of the most spectacular expression of Bronze Age megalithic art anywhere in the world. These 3,000-year-old carved stone plinths standing 1 to 4 meters high are scattered throughout northern Mongolia. more...
Preserving and conserving our cultural heritage against biological attack
Conservation and preservation of our cultural heritage requires an understanding of the complex chemical, physical, and biological threats to its integrity. Recently, MCI's Director Robert J. Koestler chaired a panel "Microorganisms in subterranean environments" more...
Flooded with light - studying the effects of light on museum collections
Light has the potential to cause damage to objects in museum collections. The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) Senior Research Scientist Marion Mecklenburg has worked with more...
Portable instruments detect pesticide residues on NMAI and NMNH ethnographic collections
The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI), working with an extensive network of Smithsonian collaborators, has addressed pesticide detection and quantification, assessment of health risk, and strategies for mitigating that risk. more...
Investigating how and when some of the first humans entered North America
For decades scientists have hypothesized that the first inhabitants to enter the New World arrived some 12-15,000 years ago via the Bering Land Bridge. more...
Conserving our nation's treasures
Continuing a long standing practice of more than four decades, in October 2006, staff of the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) examined, analyzed, and conserved the Mace of The United States House of Representatives. The work was completed on an extremely tight schedule during more...
Deteriorating modern materials - finding the cause, finding the cure
Modern materials, especially synthetic polymers and plastics, had a significant influence on industrial, domestic and cultural life throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The Smithsonian's museums and collections are depositories for many different more...
New and improved analysis for modern paintings and pigments
Artists' pigments are a source of information for understanding and safeguarding art objects. They are key elements in dating paintings and more...
MCI repairs and conserves Rosa Parks' dress
On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Ms. Rosa Parks was riding a public bus and thinking about finishing a new dress. Ms. Parks, a professional seamstress, was sewing a dress for herself this time. Her thoughts were interrupted by more...
Pre-Columbian gold is evidence for the spread of metalworking technology across the Panamanian Isthmus
Pre-Columbian gold is artifacts are appreciated for their beauty and impressive craftsmanship. Yet, Panama's contribution to this rich heritage is not well understood. As a narrow bridge between more...
Second Annual Conservation Conference celebrates the research contributions of fellows and interns
Every year the conservation and conservation science programs throughout the Smithsonian host many fellows and interns. more...