Archival Project Profiles

October 17, 2008

Objectives• To tell a richer story about our 40+

years of architectural preservation • To demonstrate continuing themes

and concerns for building types and geographic regions

• To supply content for our website• To serve as an institutional record• To validate the accessibility and

importance of the archives

Archival Project Profiles• 15-20 pages of text and pictures • WMF projects from 1970s-1990s selected

by Lisa• Diversity of work: fresco cleaning,

structural stability, site management plans

Italy, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Spain, Convento de la Coria

Haiti, Citadelle Henri

Italy, Temple of Hercules

Ireland, Doneraile CourtIreland, Castletown House

Italy, Biblioteca MarcianaItaly, Church of the Pietà

Project Profile Sites

Spain, Ochavo Chapel

Hungary, Eszterháza Castle

Italy, Misericordia Laboratory

France, Hôtel des Invalides Great Britain, St. Mary’s Church

Portugal, Tower of Belém

Sources• Archival Material in Offsite Storage• Digital Archives

Newsletters, Publications, Brochures• Grant Management Database• WMF Publications• Staff Interviews• Video Collection• Library • Internet

1. Introductory Section•After Conservation Picture•Site Name•Location•Date of Construction•Dates of WMF Conservation

2. Project Origin

• Brief summary of events leading to our involvement

• Prior conservation efforts by local, government, or cultural organizations

3. Historical Background and Significance

• Contextualizes structure in history• Discusses design origin, architectural

influences, and local patronage • Introduces political or social catalysts• Identifies architectural innovations,

specialized functions, and community significance

4. Physical Description• Summarizes site layout, architectural

components, and materials • Provides orientation for conservation

issues and areas of concern

5. Site Condition• Describes threats to structural/aesthetic

integrity ranging from environmental conditions to human processes

• Identifies conservation issues caused by previous restorations

6. Project Description and Objectives

• Explains development of the conservation plan to address threats

• Identifies major players in conservation

• Outlines educational objectives (i.e. museum exhibitions) and threat analysis via exploratory methods (i.e. architectural surveys)

7. WMF Collaboration

• Identifies organizations, government offices, and individuals who collaborated with WMF in fundraising and executing project objectives

8. Conservation

• 1-2 pages: the heart of the profile• Recounts conservation phases initiated by

WMF and its collaborators, including local firms

• Examines discoveries, challenges, and innovations

• Explains technical conservation procedures utilized to restore architectural surfaces or reinforce structural stability

9. Recognition and Subsequent Developments

• Records awards and recognition for WMF sponsored conservations at the site

• Traces new conservation concerns, continued WMF commitment, and post-restoration educational programs

10. Archival Holdings• Summarizes our holdings of digital photos,

slides, and prints• Identifies vital archival material by box

number, file name, and contents

11. Photographic Supplement

• 5-20 pictures per profile• 50-word caption, year, and photographer • Best slides and prints• Pièce de résistance: Before and after conservation shots

Digitization• 400+ prints and slides digitized • Most sites had no digital pictures• Metadata: caption, year, photographer, etc.

• File name denotes whether it was before,

during or after conservation

Before Conservation During Conservation

Haiti, Citadelle Henri

Ireland, Doneraile Court

Before Conservation After Conservation

Before Conservation After Conservation

Italy, Biblioteca Marciana

Italy, Church of the Pietà

Before Conservation After Conservation

Italy, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Before Conservation After Conservation

Before Conservation After Conservation

Spain, Convento de la Coria