Survey of Preservation and Conservation of Local History Collections in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The purpose of his work is to survey a preservation and conservation of local history collections in Nigeria making specific reference to the National War Museum Umuahia. The project is also aimed at stimulating discussions on some of the issues raised so that museum can play its proper role and also to enable the public understand what that role is.
This study will among other things, examine the following:
- The reason for siting the museum at Umuahia.
- Find out the extent which recession in the economy of the country affected the growth and management of the museum.
- To identify the chemicals/methods involved in the presentation and conservation of objects in museum.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literatures that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Preservation and Conservation
Preservation is the specific actions taking to prolong the useful life of individual objects or entire collections within a particular institution (Cloonan, 2004). From a broader perspecti e Alegbeleye (2002) states that ·preservation includes all the managerial and financial considerations including storage and accommodation provisions, staffing levels policies, techniques and methods involved in preserving Museum and archival materials and the information contained in them. On the other hand, Vinas and Vinas (1988) submit that conservation is the operation’ which is intended to prolong the life of an object by forestalling damage or remedying deterioration. Culture is “knowledge, belief, art, morals, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society (Hadzic, 2004). Culture is socially acquired and is passed from one generation to the next. Culture is inherited and this makes it our heritage. The diversity of culture and heritage is an irreplaceable source of spiritual and intellectual richne for all civilizations” (Taylor, 1871, cited in Manaf, 2006, p.46). An overview of the concepts of “Preservation and Conservation” have erroneously been used inter changeably in some Museum literature. However, to preserve and to conserve may literarily be seen as synonymous in meaning. Fadehan (2009) observed that the essence of information is to preserve them for all future generations and also to see that the state of the materials at any period in time is to engender and achieve the later end. He also argued that the problem of deterioration of Museum materials apply to all categories of materials in the Museum. The institute of Museum and Museum services (2009) stresses that preservation has been described as any action that effectively extends the life or useful life of a living or non-living collection, the individual items or entities including in a collection or structure, building or site by reducing the likelihood or speed of deterioration. It further explained that preservation actions include: planning, conservation treatment, prevention action to improve environment or otherwise reduce the risk of damage or loss. It also points out that it deals with formatting or re-formatting to provide access without the physical use of original objects. Preservation according to Hornby (1976) implies the state of being or remaining in a stated condition after a long time. However, Noah Webster dictionary defined preservation as the act of preserving or keeping in safety from harm, injury, decay or destruction. Similarly, the National conservation Advisory council in United State (1983) states that preservation is an action taken to retard——- deterioration——by control of their structure. It also explained that currently, preservation is a broader concept covering conservation as well was action relating to protection, maintenance and restoration of Museum collections. Clarkson (1993) states that preservation encompasses every fact of Museum life. He said that preservation is a preventive medicine,… the concern of every one who walks into or works in a Museum. In the same view, Grimwood-Jones (1993) points out that preservation apply to various strategies for preservation applies to various strategies for preserving the intellectual content. Moreso, Harvey (1993) also states that preservation includes all the managerial and financial considerations including storage and accommodation provisions, staffing levels, policies, techniques and methods involved in preserving Museum and archive materials and the information contained in them.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
AREA OF STUDY
The national war museum is located at Ebite Amafor in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State. The idea of the establishment of a museum of the history of warfare which would enable Nigerians to appreciate and understand the course and content of the war more fully was suggested in 1971 by Dr. Eyo Ekpo, the Director of Antiquities. Although, the idea was acceptable to the military government, the suggestion was not acted upon because the country has not quite settled down after the war. Although, too, the government decided to collect materials connected with the war and carryout photographic documentation on field equipment and evidence for future use, no real effort was embarked upon until 1977 when the Army Council finally approved the establishment of Nation War Museum at Umuahia. The purpose of the National War Museum was to collect vital documents and objects that were related to Nigerian civil war and to serve as a centre for information on Nigeria warfare through ages as a research centre for military science.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of thirty (30) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which all were returned and validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was to survey the preservation and conservation of local history collections in Nigeria using National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State as a case study. The study specifically was aimed at Stating the reason for siting the museum at Umuahia, Find out the extent which recession in the economy of the country affected the growth and management of the museum, identify the chemicals/methods involved in the presentation and conservation of objects in museum, Find out the various processes involved in the collections of the objects and how they are stored in the museum, identify the person charge with the care of preservation and conservation of museum objects, identify the major problems militating against the effective use of the museum, and Attempt suggestions on how these problems could be alleviated.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 30 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are drawn from the staff of National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State.
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:
- That the lack of skilled staff in museums to handle the preservation and conservation of objects may result to complete deterioration. 2. That there is a significant relationship between the establishment of museum and development of nation. 3. That effective use of museum depends largely of the awareness, promotion and maintenance culture. 4. That the growth, establishment etc of the museum is adversely hampered by lack of funds and poor perception of the public about the role of museum.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:
The curator and the conservator should make sure that the artifacts in the museum are well preserved and conserved for documentation since these artifacts tells more about the history of the people and helps them in drawing reference from the past for better decision making.
REFERENCES
- Alagbelaye, G.B. (1985) Conservation of the Bibliographic Resources of Nigeria: Problem and Prospect; Nigerian Libraries. Vol 12; P. 11-18.
- Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 12, (1978) “Conservation and Restoration”, London: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. P. 651.
- The Nigeria Handbook: (1985) 25 Years of Progress A Silver Jubilee Review. Lagos; Patike COmms. Ltd P. 86. Webster’s Encyclopedia Dictionary of English Language Vol. 2 (1988). Oxford: Oxford University Press. P. 53.
- Webster’s Third New International Dictionary Vol. 11; P. 1252.
- Within, A. S. (1949) The Museum: its History and its tasks in Education. London: Oxford University Press; p. 13.
- World Book Dictionary Vol. I (1996) London: World Book Inc. p. 117.
- Udoyen, P. (2019) Understanding The Basic Concepts Of a Research Process – iprojectblog
- Torty, V. (2021) Research Methodology Made Easy-iprojectblog
- CFPA-E®-Guidelines 05 : 2012/S SECURITY GUIDELINES FOR MUSEUMS AND SHOWROOMS
- Akussah, H. (2002). Records management and preservation in government ministries and departments in Ghana. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science. 1 (2),pp.155-165.
- Alegbeleye, B. (1996). A study of book deterioration at the University ofIbadan Library and its implication for preservation and conservation in Africa. African Journal of Library, Archives and information Science. Vol.l,pp. 37-45.
- Alegbeleye, B. (2002). Preservation for posterity. A paper delivered at a seminar at Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos. Akoka on 4thand 5 thJune 2002, organized by National Library of Nigerian and UNESCO.
- Australian Museum (2004). Dreaming Online: What is cultural heritage? Retrieved on 10/5/ 2009 from http://www.Dreamtime.net.au/indigenous culture. cfm.
- Banjo, G (1998). Libraries and cultural heritage in Africa. IFLAJourna124, (4), pp. 28-34.
- Bankole, O.M. and Abioye, A. (20C05). Evaluation of deterioration of library materials at Olabisi Onabanjo University Library, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science. 15, (2), pp. 99-108.
- Cultural Heritage Act. (2002). SCH About us. Retrieved on 10/5/2009 from http://www. culturalheritage. gov.mtlpage. asp?p = 3052 & 1=1
