Before, during and after treatment.
The Rensselaer County Historical Society was
awarded conservation grant funding in 2002 for the
treatment of military artifacts that were to be
exhibited. The group of items included a saddle, cadet
shell jacket, overcoat, banner, and two Red Cross WWI
and WWII uniforms. The saddle and blanket were owned by
General Wool.
The center curve of the saddle blanket was dramatically
deformed due to the lack of padding on the old mount. It
was decided early on in the treatment that the current
mount was unacceptable and should be retrofitted to
resemble a horse in shape. The inside shape of the saddle
was measured and a mount was carved of Ethafoam and covered
with batting. The final stage was to cover the mount with a
show fabric chosen to blend with the blanket of the saddle.
Humidification and reforming significantly relaxed the
stiffened leather. The saddle was then able to conform to
the rounded shape of the new mount. Holes located in the
blanket of the saddle were stabilized with small cotton
patches in a color that blended.