• How do I conserve my War Memorabilia?

    February 8, 2013

With the ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018 approaching, Australians will look back and reflect on our role in past wars and conflicts.  There are many significant items belonging to families and organisations that are poignant reminders of the invaluable contributions that so many Australians made.

These items, whether humble or heroic, are often in need of care and conservation. Did you know that Artlab Australia can assist you with conservation advice and treatments to preserve your war memorabilia?  These might be small personal items like Bibles, books, diaries, documents, photographs and prints; or medals, medallions, plaques and souvenirs.  Or perhaps you are in possession of larger items such as uniforms, flags, pennants or paintings.  Or maybe you care for monuments, statues and grave sites that are in need of urgent conservation.

In my travels as History SA’s Community History Officer I see many items of war memorabilia in the collections of community museums and history groups.  You can see some of them here. Recently I visited the Mount Lofty Districts Historical Society, who had just had the Scott Creek WWI Honour Roll in their collection restored by Artlab Australia’s Object conservator Justin Gare. The painted wooden board was found rotting in a shed and now looks stunning as you can see from the photo below.

If you would like to know more about how Artlab Australia can help you regarding your war memorabilia give them a call to discuss your conservation enquiry. Or you can visit Artlab Australia in Adelaide on one of their consultation days, on the first and third Thursday of every month throughout the year. Appointments are from 9 am to 4.30pm on each half hour. If you are unable to attend a Consultation Day Artlab can arrange an alternative time to suit your needs.  Artlab Australia is based in a big red brick building behind the State Library off Kintore Avenue.