Did you know that this stone was rubbed smooth by bison?

Did you know that this stone was rubbed smooth by bison?

Posted on by Rebecca Watson
Posted on: Tuesday April 9, 2024

This stone in the entrance to the Prairies Gallery is more than just a big rock. It represents the bison rubbing stones that are icons of the prairies! In this video, Learning & Engagement Producer Erin shares how bison used these boulders, and how this one arrived in the Prairies Gallery.

Image of bison at rubbing stone ©Craig & Rosemarie Stewart and Fort Whyte Alive. Used with permission.

 

You can learn more about the process of bringing this bison rubbing stone to the Museum on our blog, here.

All you need to know about watching the solar eclipse!

Posted on by Rebecca Watson
Posted on: Tuesday April 2, 2024

There’s a solar eclipse that will be visible from Manitoba taking place on Monday, April 8, 2024 and you won’t want to miss it! In this video, Planetarium Astronomer Scott Young tells us the important things to know about eye safety, taking pictures of the eclipse, and the in-person and online viewing parties.

Find more information on our website, here.

The Museum Shop has SOLD OUT of eclipse glasses. You can find alternate ways to view the eclipse safely without glasses on our resource page through the link above.

Winnipeg 150: City of Newcomers

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

Winnipeg turns 150 this year! Join Dr. Roland Sawatzky in the Winnipeg Gallery to see some of the artifacts newcomers to Canada and Winnipeg brought with them when they arrived here.

This series is ongoing throughout 2024, so keep an eye out for more #Wpg150 videos!

Plan your visit to the Winnipeg Gallery today

Do you know what’s in a conservator’s toolbox?

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

The tools that conservators use to fix, repair, and clean objects are pretty unique, in that many of these items come from different professions rather than being made specifically for artifact and specimen conservation. In this video, Senior Conservator Carolyn shows us some of the tools she uses to conserve the Museum Collection!

Click here to learn more about the tools found in a conservator’s toolbox in Carolyn’s blog post.

Did you know about the C. Kelekis Restaurant?

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

Did you ever grab a meal at the C. Kelekis Restaurant during its time as a Winnipeg staple?

In this video with Collections Technician of Human History, Cortney, check out some Kelekis memorabilia that was donated to the Museum after the restaurant closed.

Don’t miss the Solar Eclipse on April 8!

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

On Monday, April 8, 2024, viewers across North America will have an amazing opportunity to experience the motions of the solar system in real time! On that afternoon a solar eclipse will be visible across the province and across the continent. Learn more in this video with Planetarium Astronomer Scott Young!

Click here to buy your certified eclipse glasses from the Museum Shop

Find further eclipse viewing details on our website here.

Inside a Conservator’s Toolbox

Posted on by Carolyn Sirett
Posted on: Friday March 15, 2024

The tools Conservator’s use to fix, repair, and clean objects in a Museum collection are pretty unique, in that many of these items come from different professions or have been custom-made to suit the job.  During a recent behind-the-scenes tour I was asked about the tools I had laid out in my tray, stuffed into foam to protect the sharp edges, and things that looked a bit like they came from another planet. I thought I would share some of the tools used in the Conservation lab, as a way to spark imagination and inspiration for anyone that has been stuck on a project not knowing what tool could be right for the job!

Two pairs of scissors on a white background with the left scissors having a purple handle and the right scissors having a pink handle.

Can’t touch this …

The first item that I am deeply passionate about are my purple and pink scissors.  Everyone in the lab knows that if you borrow these purple and pink scissors to make sure to return it to the tray immediately, as I am very invested in these little tools! These small delicate scissors, come from the cosmetic industry and are mostly used by estheticians.  Slightly curved, incredibly sharp, and a very fine pointed tip, these scissors work magic for repairing textiles, cutting extremely detailed molds and casts in reproductions, and any other work that needs an accurate slice.

 

Image of thirteen dental tools laid out evenly in a row. Tools are composed of stainless steel and have various tips on both ends

Say “aaaahhhhhh” …

Dental tools would be the next array of instruments that we use in the Conservation lab. Not only are dental tools good at cleaning your teeth but they are great for cleaning objects!  Caution is used however when we pick-up these strong metal tools, because they can cause damage if used on an improper object.  Dental picks and scrapers are often used on wooden objects, when there is something deep in cracks or crevices that needs to be removed.

Let’s get digital .. digital …

Diving into a different industry that Conservator’s seek tools from, would be the world of circuit boards and computer repair.  The glass bristle brush is about the size of a pen, and has a fibre glass tip that is adjustable in height depending on the work being done.  Archaeological metals, such as brass buttons or thimbles, are where these fine detailed tools work well to burnish or remove corrosion products.  A few cautions are followed when using a glass bristle brush, including wearing a respirator, safety glasses, and protecting the body with a lab coat. The fine glass bristles break off as the tool is brushed back and forth, which is why safety is of utmost importance.

Five glass bristle brush dispensers, from left to right the handles are yellow, black, blue, blue and grey with a white twist bottom used to make the brush larger. On the left of the image are five glass bristle brush replacements with a gold coloured ferrule crimping the bristles together.

Bone folders, micro spatulas, tacking irons, brass rulers, tweezers, and scalpels are a small list of names of other unique tools that we reach for most often.  It’s important that before we perform a conservation treatment on an object in the collection that we ensure the method we choose will be successful, causing no further deterioration then what has already occurred.  This means, we really have to think outside of the box, not rush into a treatment, and make sure we have the right tool (wherever that is found) for the job!

Carolyn Sirett

Carolyn Sirett

Senior Conservator

Carolyn Sirett received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Manitoba, Diploma in Cultural Resource Management from the University of Victoria, and Diploma in Collections Conservation and Management…
Meet Carolyn Sirett

Museum Stories: Collections & Conservation

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It’s Science! Magnetic Ball Wall

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

Join Science Communicator Adriana in the Science Gallery to check out one of our newest exhibits – the magnetic ball wall! Learn which forces are taught by this fun hands-on exhibit.

Plan your visit and try this exhibit today

Winnipeg 150: Becoming a City

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

The city of Winnipeg turns 150 this year! Join Curator of History Dr. Roland Sawatzky in the Winnipeg Gallery to learn some of the early history of the city of Winnipeg.

This series is ongoing throughout 2024, so keep an eye out for more #Wpg150 videos!

Plan your visit to the Winnipeg Gallery today

Are parts of this trilobite’s head missing?

Posted on by Rebecca Watson

Trilobites tend to be well-preserved in the fossil record, but some of the fossil trilobites in the Museum Collection look like pieces of their head are missing. Why is this and what does it have to do with trilobite growth spurts?

Find out in this video with Curator of Palaeontology & Geology Dr. Joe Moysiuk!