There are few scientific furniture conservators working in museums in the United States. Such a conservator must respect the physical, historic and esthetic integrity of each object and needs over 150 divergent job skills. Museum furniture does deteriorate and therefore it needs a stable environment and protection from fire. Except to arrest decay, objects are left as they are. Unavoidable repairs are made recognizable, marked clearly and documented. All repair materials should be scientifically investigated. The responsibilities of the curator are discussed. Aspects of the training and the funding of scientific furniture conservators are appraised. In concluding the case for scientific furniture conservation these suggestions are offered: make the museum world aware of the need for proper treatment of furniture, open up the job market for trained conservators, open the purse strings for facilities and encourage scientific registration of furniture collections. -- AATA