Providing hands on advice for the conservator; Architectural Tiles: Conservation and Restoration is a unique and valuable guide. Topics covered offer practical guidance on conservation and restoration techniques including the problems of manufacture; cleaning; replacement or repair and mortars. Techniques are illustrated by comprehensive case studies; against a background of the role of past architects and designers in historic schemes.
2014-05-03 2014-05-03File Name: B00K48UQU2
Review
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Mega Thought ProvokingBy Carl E. Johnson Jr.Let me be clear (where have we heard that before?). I am neither an academic nor a museum professional and only came across this book by accident. However; as a layman Im very much interested in museums in general; including historic houses and communities; of which my wife and I have visited many and worked for both as a professional (my wife; as a history museum exhibit and program director) and volunteer (myself; as an art museum docent).Lets also be clear that the Guide is not a comprehensive "how-to" on running historic houses. Most notably it does not deal with financial issues or with mission concepts; at least not directly. Rather; focus is on the "visitor experience" and how to draw audiences to historic houses. If I had to pick one phrase to describe what the authors think of most historic house operations today; it would be "too anal" (as borrowed from Freud).The heart of this small book is 132 pages of practical thinking and examples of how to make historic houses more attractive and welcoming to visitors; both by reaching out to the communities in which they live; and by providing memorable experiences to their clients (visitors). Those pages are book-ended by sections that formalize the authors approach; yet overall the writing and ideas are readily accessible to those outside the academy; for whom the book has obviously been written. The authors point out that historic houses are seeing declining visitor numbers; and their purpose is to help these institutions reverse that trend. They also admit that while some of their ideas are research-based; others are mere conjecture; and they invite the museum community to contribute to their ongoing "anarchist" project.Although the "anarchist" tag is catchy; Id say Ryan and Vagnone are radical rather than "anarchic." I hate to use this phrase because its become a cliche; but what they are really asking house museum people to do is "think outside the box" (house). Ideas are divided into five categories: (1) reach out to; which means become involved with; the surrounding community; (2) focus on communications; understanding that communication with visitors is a two-way street (what your visitors tell you is just as important; if not more so; than what you tell them); (3) somewhat related to the number (2) as I see it; make the historic house a shared experience in which visitors are invited to participate in the house experience through their experiences; (4) take a holistic approach to the house and its objects/artifacts (and its history; implicitly); and (5) loosen up and take a practical; realistic approach to preservation and hard assets. I hope this is a fair summary.Clearly (again) not all that the authors suggest is going to translate perfectly to every historic house -- some might think; "Whoa; we cant do that;" and in some cases theyd likely be right. But; think hard about all this "stuff;" thats the message I get. Finally; Id add that many of the authors suggestions; such as encouraging your tour guides or docents to go NUDE; are translatable to other kinds of museums. Now; if that doesnt make you want to read the book; Im not sure what will.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. EYE OPENING; EXCITING; INSPIRINGBy Lady DeborahThis should be required reading for all docents at all HHms everywhere. I am so thrilled and excited to begin implementing the suggestions in the two Historic Homes I am involved with!!!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Helpful for Museum StudiesBy Kylie HewittIm a Museum Studies student and I really enjoyed seeing all the case studies in this book. While it is focused on historic houses; I believe that many of the suggestions are applicable to all museums.
