From some of the Museum’s largest artifacts to its smallest (and their even smaller parts), from iconic items to new acquisitions, from researching to woodworking, the Collections team was busy in 2021 conserving, restoring, and preparing hundreds of artifacts bound for the upcoming galleries at the Museum in DC, for immediate display at the Udvar-Hazy Center, or for safe storage to preserve them well into the future.
 
Making the stories of these artifacts and the people who made them reality even more accessible to researchers of today and tomorrow, the Archives team continued to collect vital records – papers, video, photos and more – that document the amazing progress of aviation and space exploration. They also continued to digitize these invaluable resources, so no matter where students, historians, or the merely curious live, they can delve into the national collection to learn and be inspired to create the next steps in our achievements in the sky and space. 

Wright Flyer

The 1903 Wright Flyer underwent its most comprehensive examination and condition report since 1985, in preparation for its move to its new home on the Museum’s first floor. Investigations of past repairs—several most likely made by the Wright brothers because of damage incurred on the day of their historic flight—were completed prior to the move to ensure that all historic repairs remained stable. After conferring with the curator, treatment commenced to address cracks in the wood, surface soiling, weak areas of the fabric, minor corrosion of the bracing wires, and internal engine preservation.

Skylab

While most artifacts in the national collection are typically treated in our collections care spaces at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, some are too large to transport and must be worked on in place. This was the case with the Skylab Orbital Workshop. A 60-foot lift was used to conduct a critical cleaning of the artifact. Treatment took place first thing in the morning on lifts before the Museum opened to the public or on the days that the Museum was closed to the public during the pandemic. The team utilized critical surface cleaning research conducted by Engen Fellow, Kate Gabrielli, to remove stains from the exterior. The interior acrylic tunnel that separates visitors from the display was removed for cleaning and examinations, finding original components stowed in their compartments. The components are being cataloged as artifacts and will be transferred to museum storage. 

Loan Program Improvements 

The National Air and Space Museum has long had a successful loans program, but never a formal program to assess the condition of loaned artifacts and the exhibits and buildings where they are displayed—until now. During 2021, the Museum was able to utilize Engen funding to support an initiative to gain a more comprehensive understanding of 1,039 artifacts loaned to 120 borrowing institutions around the world. The Museum is ensuring that in-depth condition assessments and environmental condition surveys are being conducted. Where concerns are identified, we are working with the borrowing institutions to improve their stewardship capabilities.