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  • Scientists at work in the Proteomics Lab
  • Scientist using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF)
  • Scientist using X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
  • Paintings conservator working with a painting in an exhibit
  • Preventive Conservator at work in a storage pod
  • Paper conservator working on a collection object made of paper

Museum Conservation Institute

The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is the center for specialized technical collection research and conservation for all Smithsonian museums and collections. MCI combines knowledge of materials and the history of technology with state-of-the-art instrumentation and scientific techniques to provide technical research studies and interpretation of artistic, anthropological, biological, and historical objects.

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In the News

MCI Job Opening for Preventive Conservator, Closing Date: 6/5/23

MCI's Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Statement

Piece by Piece: Mosaic Artifacts in Byzantium and the Ancient Americas, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, DC on May 18-19, 2023: Study Session Speakers are Thomas Lam, Edward Vicenzi, and Keats Webb

Which "Eraser" Reigns Supreme? MCI Postdoctoral Fellow hosts a conservation workshop on the "Dry Cleaning of Soot-Coated Papers" by Tess Cramer, 10/4/22

Katharyn Hanson (MCI Secretary's Scholar and Cultural Heritage Preservation Scholar) was an author and team organizer for the SCRI Ukraine project's newest report Potential Damage to Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Sites and dashboard at the Conflict Observatory Publication Site.

Law Enforcement Receive Advanced Training to Counter Threats to Cultural Heritage, US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 9/12/22

Virtual Workshop Trains Law Enforcement to Disrupt Trafficking in Cultural Property from Latin America, US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 8/26/22

Keats Webb (Imaging Scientist), work with the National Museum of Natural History was referenced in How Indigenous Groups Are Using 3-D Technology to Preserve Ancient Practices by Rachel Parsons, Scientific American, 6/29/22

 

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