O d D
J O B
Grooming Hoover’s wax
fi gure, cleaning a helicopter
which is suspended from
the ceiling and couriering
valuable artifacts are all in
a day’s work for Newseum’s
Lindsay Waros Marino
PRESSING JOB
Lindsay Waros Marino, curatorial specialist of artefacts, Newseum, Washington, DC, US
What’s your job description? Every so often he’ll get small dents in his face. By
I’ve worked at the Newseum for two years as the heating up a metal tool I’m able to shape the wax
curatorial specialist of artefacts. I acquire artefacts, back to its original state.
conduct research for new exhibitions and care for the Because Hoover's hair is made of real human hair
objects both on exhibit and in storage at our Support it can get frizzy and fall out of place, so I comb and
Center. I help monitor the environmental conditions style it to keep him looking his best. When Hoover’s
and other concerns to ensure the safety of the arte- hair gets really fl aky or dusty, I remove the head from
ABOUT THE facts and look after them when they need a little TLC. the body and wash his hair in the sink. Madame
NEWSEUM I also work with donors who are interested in giving Tussaud's staff recommended that we only use Paul
The Newseum in the museum new pieces. Mitchell products, so I was careful to pick out extra
Washington, US, moisturising conditioner and mega-hold hairspray!
is a 250,000sq What unusual elements I also make sure his eyes and lips stay glossed with
ft (23,000sq m) does your job involve? a special artist’s conservator gloss. This makes his
museum, which aims The most unusual task I've had is cleaning the heli- features seem more life-like.
to give visitors a bet- copter hanging from our atrium ceiling. We take a lift
ter understanding of to the level of the helicopter and clean it with extra What role does Hoover play?
news and the impor- long poles with dusters attached. Hoover has been a great ambassador for our exhibit,
tant role it plays in our We’ve had to learn how to move really large arte- G-Men and Journalists: Top News Stories of the FBI’s
lives. Five centuries of facts into place, such as the guard tower used at the First Century, which explains the history of the FBI
news history, tech- Berlin Wall, the steel door that was taped open during and its relationship with the media.
nology and hands-on the Watergate break-in and a bullet-ridden truck used The exhibit contains details on J Edgar Hoover’s
exhibits are featured by reporters in Sarajevo. I’m also a courier for loaned development of the FBI and highlights the organisa-
and visitors are also objects, many of which are priceless. My favourite tion’s top cases with artefacts like the Unabomber’s
taken behind the transport was bringing Paul Revere’s [a patriot in the cabin, Patty Hearst’s jacket and gun and the electric
scenes to experi- American Revolution] glasses from Boston to the chair used on Bruno Hauptmann, who was convicted
ence how news is Newseum for a temporary exhibition. of murdering the Lindbergh baby.
made. The exterior’s
architectural fea- What TLC do you give artefacts? What are the highs and lows of the job?
tures include a 74ft Touching up the wax model of J Edgar Hoover has I love being part of a team that protects and cares
(22m)-high marble been a new, exciting opportunity – it certainly wasn’t for artefacts for future generations. The low point is
engraving of the First something I was taught in school! If he looks a little cleaning the fi nger and forehead prints off the cases
Amendment. mussed, I remove any lint and straighten his clothes. when people get too interested in the artefacts! ●
84 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 1 2010
©
cybertrek 2010
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