Conservation

Preserving the objects that tell stories.

Artifacts are more than objects. They are tangible connections to the people, places, and events that shaped our world. Conservation is the careful process of preserving these irreplaceable pieces of history so they can continue to educate, inspire, and connect future generations.

At 70 Degrees, we believe that every artifact has a story worth protecting. Whether it is a century-old photograph, a historic uniform, a maritime tool, an aviation artifact, or a community heirloom, proper conservation ensures that the object remains stable, accessible, and meaningful for years to come.

What Is Conservation?

Conservation is the professional practice of safeguarding cultural and historical materials from deterioration. Unlike restoration, which may involve returning an object to an earlier appearance, conservation focuses on stabilizing artifacts, preventing further damage, and preserving their authenticity.

Effective conservation balances three key goals:

• Protecting the physical object

• Preserving historical integrity

• Ensuring long-term accessibility for education and research

Our Approach

70 Degrees works with museums, historical societies, archives, educational institutions, and private collections to develop practical and sustainable conservation strategies.

Our services include:

• Collections Assessment: We evaluate the condition of artifacts and collections, identify risks, and recommend preservation priorities.
• Preventive Conservation: Many conservation challenges can be avoided through proper environmental controls, storage solutions, handling procedures, and exhibit design.
• Conservation Planning: We help organizations create long-term preservation plans that align with their mission, budget, and collection needs.
• Exhibit Preservation: Artifacts on display face unique risks from light, temperature fluctuations, vibration, and visitor interaction. We integrate conservation best practices into exhibit design to protect collections while maximizing visitor engagement.
• Emergency Preparedness: Natural disasters, water damage, fire, and environmental emergencies can threaten collections. We assist organizations in developing response and recovery plans to minimize losses.

Why Conservation Matters

Every artifact represents a piece of our shared heritage. When objects deteriorate or are lost, the stories they carry can disappear as well.

Conservation helps:

• Preserve community history

• Support research and scholarship

• Enhance educational experiences

• Protect donor investments

• Ensure future generations can engage with authentic historical materials

By investing in conservation today, organizations safeguard their collections for tomorrow.

Expert Experience

We work with a consortium of experts. The team has experience working with a wide range of cultural materials, including:

• Historical documents and personal papers

• Photographs and negatives

• 35 MM Film and Slides

• Newspapers and ephemera

• Textiles and uniforms

• Community history artifacts

Building Sustainable Preservation Programs

Conservation is most successful when it becomes part of an organization’s daily operations rather than an occasional project. We work with institutions to develop practical systems, staff training, and collection care procedures that create lasting impact.

Whether your organization is caring for a single treasured artifact or managing thousands of collection items, 70 Degrees can help develop solutions that balance preservation, accessibility, and public engagement.

Let’s Preserve History Together

Protecting cultural heritage requires planning, expertise, and commitment. If your organization is seeking guidance on artifact conservation, collections care, exhibit preservation, or long-term stewardship strategies, we would be honored to help.

Contact 70 Degrees to learn how we can support your preservation and conservation goals.