A report on recovery from the flood (damaged water main) which occurred in the Chicago Historical Society 1n 1986. Describes the work of local conservation centres, which placed both their staff and their facilities at the disposal of the Society and of the Chicago area conservation group, a close network of conservators. About 15 conservation specialists were involved in the ricovery work. The group also formed DRAT (Disaster Recovery Assistance Team) offering labour, specialised skills, trasportation and equipment. Information on this group, togher with that on other individuals/materials/suppliers useful in the event of a disaster, has been entered into a data base at the Newberry library and available to anyone in the area. Diagram, b/w photographs.