barrel will then be freeze-dried. Jose received her education at the


University of Alberta in Edmonton, where she specialized in textiles in the home economics department. “While I was there, I discovered the conserva- tion aspect. I’ve always been interested in history, so it all comes together, the interest in history and the actual hands- on working with textiles,” she says. Across the hall from Jose at the service


centre are two other labs: a metals and non-organic lab and one for furniture restoration. In the first of these, china and metalwork are being restored. Metal artefacts are sandblasted to remove rust and soaked in tanks of chemicals to


counter corrosion. Te furniture lab is filled with table saws


and carving tools to replicate and restore furniture for living history museums and displays across western and northern Canada. Rick Lair, who heads the lab, was repairing a 1810 pianoforte brought in from Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site at the time of our call. He was con- currently studying and reproducing Red River furniture, a style distinctive to the Prairie region. Rick received his education at Sir Sand-


ford Fleming College in Peterborough, Ont. Restoration, he explained, is highly specialized work and very few institutions can actually afford experts. “It’s kind of


a daunting career choice.” But he does have advice for those looking to go into the historic restoration field. “As a career, think of applying it to a much broader employment,” he suggests. You need to think of avenues other than just historic artefacts where you might apply your restoration trade. In Eastern Canada, job prospects are


a bit better. Some private contractors specialize in historic restoration since there are a larger number of historic sites. It can be a difficult to find a footing for a career in restoration, Kym admits, but looking aſter Canadian history is a pas- sion. “You have to have an appreciation for the history of these pieces.”


S


It's like measuring out a dress.


They have to create their own saws and knives to replicate different projects


Nahanni Dead Man Valley forestry cabin 105 Cabin has rolled its first few feet.


Terry makes a ring for the bellows.


Kym and Terry having a lunch break.


SMART careers | Early Spring 11


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