Thaw Conservation Center
The Thaw Conservation Center at The Morgan Library & Museum is a world-class laboratory for the conservation and technical study of the Morgan’s core holdings: drawings, prints, photographs, illuminated manuscripts, printed books, bookbindings, and literary, historical, and music manuscripts. The work of the Thaw Center is essential to the Morgan’s institutional mission, helping to preserve, document, interpret, and make accessible our extraordinary and varied collections. The Thaw Center’s activities encompass conservation treatment as well as a number of preventive conservation measures, such as environmental monitoring and protective housing of collections. Research and technical studies often involve collaboration with curators, museum scientists, imaging specialists, and conservators in allied specialties. Research results are shared in lectures, publications, and posts on the Morgan’s blog and social media platforms.
The Morgan has had a long-standing commitment to the conservation and preservation of its collections, with both book and paper conservators working on site as early as the 1950’s. The design and construction of the Thaw Center, which was completed in 2002 with support from Eugene V. and Clare Eddy Thaw, transformed the conservation program by creating a unified, state-of-the-art facility where book and paper conservators work together in spacious, purpose-built surroundings. Now occupying 5,600 square feet on the fourth floor of the historic Morgan House, the Thaw Center includes designated spaces and equipment for paper conservation, book conservation, matting and framing, exhibition preparation, collection rehousing, and specialized examination and imaging techniques. A seminar room and departmental reference library supports the Thaw Center’s education and outreach programs, which include lectures, classes, and workshops for students, educators, conservation professionals and members of the public.
The Thaw Center is currently staffed by two book conservators, two paper conservators, one full-time preparator and two part-time conservation technicians. Generous funding from the Sherman Fairchild and Pine Tree Foundations has provided ongoing support for two post-graduate fellowships in book and paper conservation.