Conservation Services

The Henry Ford has one of the largest and most diverse collections in the nation. Our staff conservators have experience conserving a wide range of objects and materials, for purposes ranging from museum exhibitions to operational use in living history programs. Whether agricultural or industrial machines, historic clothing or textiles, furniture or decorative arts, motorized or horse-drawn vehicles, documents or photographs, household or scientific equipment, or unusual modern materials such as aluminum alloys or plastics, the staff at The Henry Ford has worked with them.

Services for Individuals

For individuals, The Henry Ford provides a one-on-one consultation service with staff conservators, who are available to provide conservation advice and referrals to local conservators. Note that The Henry Ford’s conservation laboratory does not carry out conservation treatment work for individuals. For more information, contact us at research.center@thehenryford.org.

Services for Museums

For museums and institutions, our professional staff will work with you to understand the preservation needs of your collection items and to develop a cost-effective strategy tailored to the goals of your organization.

Conservation services provided by the staff of The Henry Ford include preservation assessments and surveys, assistance with grant writing, conservation treatments, training, lectures and workshops.

Conservation Assessments and Surveys

Conservation assessments or condition surveys of all or part of your collection holdings are the basis for developing a long-range preservation plan for your organization. A good preservation plan will help ensure that your organization makes the best use of its precious resources – staff, financial or material – in addressing collection needs.

Grant Writing

Grant application assistance can include identifying potential sources of funding, building and organizing a proposal, developing work plans and writing narratives for preservation-based projects.

Conservation Treatments

Staff conservators with extensive expertise in the areas of paper, textile and object conservation are available to conserve historical artifacts for your organization.