Dedication Stone Preservation Begins

             

     The work of preserving the Dedication Stone began officially on Wednesday December 10^th 2003.

     Donna Williams of Williams Art Conservation identified all of the significant pieces of the stone and made notes on on the condition of each piece were made. Each piece was labled and photographed.

     The next step was to build and deliver the crate in which to place the pieces of sugared stone to preserve it until such a time as it can be placed on permanent display. This task of preservation was accomplished by Gallery Services who has worked closely with Williams Art Conservation in the past and was one of the businesses recommended by Donna Williams for this process

    
     First the pieces were brought into the truck and laid out on a packing blanket to be made ready for crating. A special crate was made to store the pieces until the building is restored and the pieces will be hardened and placed in a permanent display.

     Next the pieces were wrapped in a special water resistant material and labeled according to Donna Williams speciifications. The wrapped pieces were laid out on sheets of packing foam and an outline of each piece drawn on the foam.

     Then the shape of the pieces was cut out in the foam, the foam placed in the crate, each cutout labled and the pieces inserted.

     Then the the crate was sealed and stored in the firehouse.

     This completes the first important steps in the preservation of this dedication plaque. The price for this phase was $1,300.00. We are grateful to Emotion Pictures, Inc. for their generous contribution for this important work.

     The next step will be to raise the funds necessary to preserve the pieces by a process of introducing salts back into the material to harden the stone. This is necessary in order to handle the pieces as they are arranged in their original positions.

     Then we will build the display which will be the final home of the Old 23s’ Dedication Stone.

     This process will require between $12,000.00 and $16,000.00 and will be undertaken after the buildind is completely restored.

     The next phase of the restoration processfor Old 23s'  will be the earthquake proofing of the building. This will require aprox. 2 million dollars to begin. To find out how to help contact us at the email address below. or snail mail us at Corporation for History, Art and Culture, PO Box 13244, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, C/O Daniel Taylor.