Conservation
An examination of the exposed portion of the aboiteau revealed that the wood (white pine) was very soft and water saturated and would require immediate conservation after removal from the ground. To this end, conservators from the Canadian Conservation Insitute, Parks Canada and the Nova Scotia Museum agreed to provide technical support for the conservation process which would follow. The conservation process is being conducted by Ted D'Eon. Upon arrival at the "Conservation Building" the aboiteau was washed off with a hose and placed in a tank of water. The tank was constructed of plywood and lined with 4 layers of heavy gauge polyethylene plastic to prevent leakage. After the water was changed several times to remove excess dirt, slime and salt a wood preservative, polyethylene glycol (PEG), was added to a concentration level of 10%. The PEG penetrates the wood to replace the absorbed water. Pumps were placed in the tank to circulate the solution.
After the aboiteau has soaked for many months in the tank containing polyethylene glycol and water, it will be removed and allowed to dry slowly. After the drying process has been completed, the aboiteau will be placed on long-term exhibit at the Acadian Museum in West Pubnico.
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