J.CAC VOLUME 27 (2002)
The History and Conservation of a Halkett Inflatable Rubber Boat
The conservation of rubber is a topic that has received little attention by museum conservators in comparison to the treatment of other materials. This made the study of a Halkett inflatable rubber boat a great challenge. It was later discovered to be one of only two known existing inflatable Halkett rubber boats in the world, its mate belonging to the National Museums of Scotland. It is a very important artifact not only to the museum and the cultural history of Manitoba, but also to the conservation and museum community as a whole. The boat and its accessories were cleaned, and possible methods to soften the deteriorated rubber were reviewed. This article discusses the history of the boat and Mackintosh Fabric, the treatment of the boat and its accessories, and storage and exhibit options.
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