The White Tanks Mountain Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Surprise was honored to host a special guest speaker, Lauren Conway, the objects conservator at the Western Archaeological and Conservation Center in Tucson at its latest meeting Feb. 1.

Conway, an expert in conservation, shared her insights on the critical role conservators play in preserving historical artifacts.

As part of her work with the National Park Service’s Intermountain Region Museum Services Program, she is involved in the delicate and meticulous process of maintaining and conserving valuable cultural objects for the nation’s parks and museums.

The Intermountain Region of the National Park Service includes 87 national parks across a vast area, and houses more than 14 million collection items, including four million objects from museum collections and an array of library and archive materials. Conway explained the multifaceted work of conservators, who employ a combination of science, art, and history to preserve these invaluable items for future generations.

“We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to hear from Lauren and learn more about the importance of preserving our nation’s history through conservation,” said Tammy Dollar, chapter regent of the White Tanks Mountain Chapter of DAR. “The work that Lauren and other conservators do is critical in safeguarding the objects that tell the stories of our past.”

Conway’s presentation included examples of the techniques used to stabilize and restore objects ranging from delicate textiles to fragile artifacts. She also discussed the challenges faced in managing such large-scale collections and the importance of conservation for both the public’s education and the protection of cultural heritage.

The White Tanks Mountain Chapter of DAR, founded to promote historic preservation, patriotism, and education, continues to connect with notable figures in the field of preservation to further its mission and enhance the understanding of American history and culture in the local community. The next DAR WTM Chapter meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1 at the NC2 Building at Happy Trails Resort, 17200 W. Bell Road.

Contact the Chapter Registrar at WhiteTankMountainsRegistrar@ArizonaDAR.org, or visit whitetankmountains.arizonadar.org.