1928 ad for a Versare bus. Versare buses were once used in Montreal
Toronto. Do you know we Canadians have a national collection of papers, photos, and physical objects in Ottawa’s National Museum of Science and Technology (now named Ingenium)? Or that the Museum is a member of the PHSC?
The image at left is courtesy of Ingenium and has the cut-line, “A Versare 6-wheel gasoline-electric bus as seen in an advertisement issued by SKF Industries Incorporated of New York City, New York. Anon., “SKF Industries Incorporated.” Electric Railway Journal, 21 January 1928, between pages 10 and 11.”
In volume 21-1, Ev published a detailed article called “Conserving / Preserving Artifacts ” by then Museum curator of Physical Science and Space, Dr. Randall C. Brooks. Dr Brooks outlines the mandate of the Museum, its holdings, and why possible donations come under a severe scrutiny.
Dr Brooks begins, “A couple of years ago, members of the Historical Microscopical Society [Ev was a member at one time] met at the National Museum of Science & Technology in Ottawa along with Canadian members of the Scientific Instrument Society [of the UK].
“During one of the discussion periods. I described how we deal with artifacts at NMST and there was some surprise as to the degree of control we place on our artifacts. First, you must realize that the collection of the NMST is the ” national” collection of science and technology apparatus that is governed by federal legislation.
“The collection is intended to reflect the transformation of Canada and to be preserved in perpetuity. Thus, we have to place rather stringent controls on the way artifacts are acquired. conserved, used and stored.
“The NMST collection [in 1995] includes some 80,000 photos/drawings and 25,000 objects from transistors to farm combines to locomotives and even ships. About 3,500 of these fall under my control as Curator of Physical Sciences.
“The sheer size of the artifact collection creates problems for storage and preservation and we currently have almost 20,000 m2 [metres squared] of storage space in 6 warehouses! At any one time, we have only about 6 or 7% of the collection on exhibit in the Museum.
“And the physical limitations of the Museum create problems. Being a converted bakery, without humidity control, means that many artifacts of wood, rubber and/or leather cannot be exhibited because they would crack or split during the desert–like periods during winter. …”
You can read the rest of this informative article in the 21-1 pdf file on our free members-only DVD. Not yet a member? Joining is easy! Check out the MEMBERSHIP sub-menu above (for the Membership Form) and the PayPal article at right. Send your dues (for one or three years) with the form or send the form after using your credit card/PayPal account. Any questions? Please email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.
