Survey of Preservation and Conservation of Local History Collections in Nigeria

Survey of Preservation and Conservation of Local History Collections in Nigeria

Abstract of Survey of Preservation and Conservation of Local History Collections in Nigeria

This research study aims at identifying the presentation and conservation of Local history collections in Nigeria, a case study of National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State.
In the process of carry out this research, the researcher identifies the problems/constrain, methods/techniques adopted, the classes of artifacts kept and also proffer solutions to the effective procedures for preservation and of local history collection in a museum under study. In the study, the researcher observed among numerous variables that fumigation gives the best method of preserving the artifacts. In line with fumigation, the establishment also place priority attention by using air conditioner to control weather condition and which in its true senses brought about prolonging the life-span of artifacts.
Based on the findings and available literature in the field, mentioned has been made concerning the necessity of computer application in the preservation and conservation of local history collections. For efficient management, the researcher recommends the provision of standby generating set as to support the ICT. Programme recommended, above all it is noted that there is a cordial relationship among the component units that constitute the establishment.
The study also revealed why it is possible for the establishment to preserve its artifact successfully, that a separate unit is designated to observe the preservation culture and back up fully with adequate security networking.
Names such as curator, is the head of museum management while conservator is a person in charge with the skills in preserving and conserving the artifacts. This work is divided into five (5) chapters. Chapter one is the introduction of the work while chapter two is the review of related literature, research methodology is in chapter three, chapter four deals with the presentation and analysis of data. Finally, chapter five presents the conclusion and the related recommendations.

Chapter One of Survey of Preservation and Conservation of Local History Collections in Nigeria

INTRODUCTION 

OVERVIEW

The importance attached to any museum object derives its value in cultural and historical context which may span over areas such as religion, education on, politics, economy and warfare. It is pertinent to note those museums are categorizes according to the type of their collections, locations and their purpose.
A: According to type of object in their collections.
1. ART MUSEUM: It collects the elites artistic products of human society, painting, drawings, photographs, statues, furniture, jewelry, textiles, metals ware and craft products.
2. HISTORY MUSEUM: It is concerned with history. All objects made or used by human beings are potentials interest to the history museum.
3. ENCYCLOPEDIC OR GENERAL MUSEUM: It deals with several or all fields instead of just art, or history or geology etc.
4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM: It collects and exhibit historical and cultural remains recovered from the earth.
5. SCIENCE MUSEUM: There are two major kinds of science museum:
a. Science/industry museums
b. National history museums.
6. ETHNOGRAPHY MUSEUM: It collects and displays cultural materials associated with social institutions, clothing and implements of old.
7. Museum of posters, toys, textile etc.
B: According to the location and ownership: These museums are usually of general types.
1. University Museums: It is attached to the history, science or other departments of the universities and owned and managed by the university authority.
2. Art council museum
3. Local government museums
4. State museum
5. Federal museum
6. Open air museum
According to their purpose
1. Children museum: These are museums intended exclusively for young children, with every thing in their scale down to fit their physical size and mental capacity.
2. Museum for the blind
3. Museums of freedom-fighting.
Therefore, following the general perception of the public about the state of museum as highlighted above, need arises about the awareness and development of museum and their corresponding preservation and conservation of artifacts. At this juncture, it is relevant to explain the key concepts of this research study which includes, museum, artifacts, preservation, conservation, etc as it is in respect of the case study. The National War Museum Umuahia, Abia State.

BACKGROUND OF STUDY 

The establishment of museum is significant in any developing nation like Nigeria where historical record provides a link between the past, the present and most certainly, the future.
The importance attached to any museum object derives its value in cultural and historical context which may span over areas such as Religion, Education, Politics, Economy and warfare. It is most unfortunate, however, that most Nigerians, up to this time, have not yet realized the importance of museums to the society. To such people, museums are associated with artifacts and monuments which are regarded as old and useless objects meant for incarceration: This type of impression attached to this important agency (museum) has so much affected us such that most of the objects which would have been very useful in general enlighten and education of the public suffer from deterioration.

DEFINITION 

A survey of preservation and conservation of local history collections in Nigeria: (A case study of National War museum, Umuahia) which is the topic of this work cannot be well treated if the concept of “preservation and conservation” and “museum” elude the author.
However, The World book Dictionary (1996) defines conservation as “the act of conserving, protecting from loss or being used up: avoidance of waste”. “Management, protection, wise use of resources”.
Furthermore, The Encyclopedia Britannica (1978) explains that conservation concerns the care given to collection as a whole, to protect them against these three causes of alteration: that is, environmental factor (temperature, humidity, atmospheric, pollution, lighting); Internal factor (biological, physical, chemical or mechanical action within the object itself); and human factor (handling, transportation etc).
Alegbeleye (1985) sees conservation as the term that embraces several related ideas such as:
a. Restoration, which is the action taken to correct deterioration of all kinds and also maintain the items in their original form.
b. Substitution which has to do with the replacement of the original by microfilming and digitalization.
The Webster’s Encyclopedia Dictionary (1998) defines preservation as “to keep, maintain and preserve from ruin for the present and future uses”.
The World Book Dictionary (1996) defines preservation as “the act or process of preserving keeping safe: or those activities which are involved in keeping an object from deteriorating further”.
Museum is defined as a “temple, home, resort of the learned; and institution or repository for the collection, exhibition and study of objects of artistic, historic, scientific and educational interest”. It is an institution established to encourage the preservation and to discourage as far as possible the deterioration and loss of objects treasured by the society.

ORIGIN OF MUSEUM 

Museum originated with man’s interest in collecting, accumulating precious, beautiful and curious objects. The oldest of such collections were privately financed, made by the wealthy or by the church. Museum in general, does for objects what libraries and archives do for books and government records respectively. It is, therefore necessary to stress here that the society does not tend to preserve her objects just to hoard them, but to preserve them because of their intellectual values.
It is pertinent to note that the most important phenomena which have influenced the direction of human development and progress are scientific discoveries, and warfare of these greater attentions has been paid to the preservation and presentation of information relating to the former but less has been done concerning the later. Yet information about scientific episodes and the development of warfare are of equal importance if we are to have a balanced view of the course of human development and progress.
Man, from the prehistoric times, has always been a fighter in the face of real or imagined enemies. However, one thing is clear, and that is that one of the cardinal aims of wars is either to maintain or change status quo with a view to ensuring advantages for those who engage in them. There should be no doubt, therefore, about the enormous role which war have played in the overall shaping of the society. Unpleasant and horrible as wars may seen, the preservation of the relics of national war efforts becomes the responsibility of every government that needs to be informed about itself and of course that nation’s development.
The museum and the exhibition therein, are aimed at preserving Nigeria’s war relics and illustrate its war efforts through ages.
The purpose of this work is not to glorify our efforts at wars, but to enable the general public see in historical perspective the evolutions of Nigeria Military Technology, highlight the inventive ingenuity of Nigerians as evident in the war relics and emphasizes the need to guard jealously our national unity so that the motto of the museum “that they did not die in vain” may be justified.