Preservation versus restoration

We will compare 2 objects on display in the Powerhouse Museum. The restored Loco-1, dated 1854, on Level-3 as a counterpoint to the preserved cart of Mr. Wong on Level-2 in the “What’s in Store” exhibition. The cart dates from around 1918 and was used by Mr. Wong to collect and deliver goods from his country store near Goulburn. 

When comparing the cart with the fully restored loco, it is worth asking the question of the audience as to which is older, Mr. Wong’s cart or the Loco-1? Invariably, about 80% will choose the cart, even though it is half the age of the loco.  

 The difference is the approach taken by the museum between restoring and preserving an object.  

In preserving – the object is frozen in time to when it was acquired and any further deterioration is halted. If a spoke or wheel rim is broken, then it is not repaired. But, if woodworm attacks the object, then it is treated to kill the woodworm. 

In restoration, as with Loco No 1 on the other hand, the object was completely stripped bare and repaired to “as new” condition: as if had just left the showroom. In restoring much of the old fabric is renewed. Whereas the painted lettering on the cart was seen, and perhaps applied by Mr. Wong himself, all the paint of the loco is modern – with no visceral connection to the original. 

There is a growing trend in museums to opt for preservation, for it preserves that patina of age that many volunteers can attest to. It is also cheaper. 

The same discussion applies to many other objects in museums like paintings, ships, cathedrals, and many more. Is the surface you see the same surface the builders or painters saw and touched? And, in the case of extensive restoration, at what percentage of repair or replacement does an object become a replica? 

Some other examples are the Mary-Rose in Portsmouth, which is 100% original and is being preserved. But you will be lucky though to find a splinter of wood that dates to Nelson’s time on his flagship the Victory, is that then an original, or replica? The Endeavour of captain Cook is without question a 100% replica.  

We can ask the same questions of many other objects in the collections of museums around the world.