Not only is your home your castle, it is also your own personal
museum of family treasures. Books, paintings, watercolours,
china, crystal, christening gowns, wedding dresses, statues
and sculptures, musical instruments, old tools and utensils,
toys, baseball and hockey cards, family documents and photographs,
records, tapes, cassettes, furniture, rugs, tapestries and
embroidery. The list is nearly endless and so are the things
we collect for personal interest or for family historical
reasons.
Our "How To Care For" section is intended to help
you preserve your personal collections. It contains practical
information for steps you can take at home. When it comes
to technical and complex treatment, we recommend you consult
a professional conservator for advice on the best possible
treatment.
You need to be a little philosophical about your heirlooms.
Generally, the objects you have at home are used, not stored
away in display cases. While you can determine, to a degree,
how family members treat your treasures, it is inevitable
that, over time, some wear and tear will occur. In many instances,
this is perfectly acceptable and is an important part of the
item's history and character. As temporary custodians, the
goal is to extend the life of your collection so that future
generations can enjoy it just as much as you and past
generations have.
This site was developed by the Canadian
Conservation Institute (CCI), a Special Operating Agency of the Department
of Canadian Heritage. CCI has been a pioneer in the conservation of cultural
heritage since 1972 delivering a wide range of services and products,
conducting conservation treatments and research, and promoting the proper care and preservation of cultural
property.