October, 2008
Over the next two to three years, the barns area of the nationally recognized site will be completely restored to its rugged working ranch character and, most importantly, the remarkable Education Center will blend the historic Horse Barn into a dynamic new structure.
For the past two years, Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation (RLAF) staff and volunteers have been preparing the barns area for restoration and construction.
Among other things, the curatorial staff, supported by volunteers, inventoried, photographed, documented, cross-referenced, and catalogued the artifacts in and around the barns.
This included objects like wagons, tractors, spring-tooth harrows, plows, anvils, workbenches, buzz saws, horse harnesses, saddles, etc.
In addition, the buildings themselves were photo-documented, inside and out.
RLAF contracted with Griswold Conservation Associates of Culver City to conduct a conservation survey of the most significant barns area artifacts, and to make recommendations about the objects’ storage and maintenance.
In the months prior to “breaking ground,” curatorial staff and volunteers carefully cleaned, packed, and stored the smaller artifacts in locations both on and off site.
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Blackmith Shop objects go to off-site storage |
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The largest artifacts required the expertise of professional museum movers.
On July 30th and 31st, the largest artifacts were moved by L.A. Packing, Crating, and Transport with the assistance of Dunkel Brothers Heavy Equipment and Machinery Moving.
Dave Harvey from Griswold Conservation Associates was on hand for the “BIG” move, as well.
The most fragile and/or awkward artifacts were stored on site, while the remaining over-sized artifacts were moved to a facility generously provided by the City of Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. (Rancho Los Alamitos and most of its collections are owned by the City of Long Beach.)
Due to the expertise and professionalism of those involved, the “BIG” move went very smoothly.
Rancho Los Alamitos agricultural collections are safely stored away until they can be reinstalled on site at the conclusion of construction.
Many of the artifacts will undergo professional cleaning, restoration and repair while the barns area is under construction and before it re-opens to the public.
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