Restoration is an important function of a museum and the Massachusetts Air & Space Museum takes the responsibility of this function very seriously. This sense of responsibility rises from an appreciation of the historical and scientific significance of the objects and artifacts entrusted to its care.

Largely a behind-the-scenes activity, restoration is deeply woven into the education, preservation, and display roles of a museum, and will be especially so at the Massachusetts Air & Space Museum. The restoration function, done properly, calls for meticulously careful and thorough research. Such research will enable the Museum to maintain its educational role at the highest level, to fully satisfy is preservation role, and to excel in its display role.

Understanding the importance of this function from the beginning, the Massachusetts Air & Space Museum applied for, and was awarded, the “Connecting to Collections Bookshelf” from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This resource gives us the most current information available on caring for and restoring objects comprised of metals, wood, paper, plastic, leather, film and any other material one may find to be a part of a historical artifact. This technical resource, coupled with careful and thorough research, will enable the Massachusetts Air and Space Museum to achieve its goal of excellence in its restoration function.