Experienced Conservation Expert
About SethAs an expert you can trust with your most precious paper artifacts, Seth Irwin will help you preserve your memories and heritage.
Welcome and thank you for your interest in advancing the preservation of our invaluable heritage. My dedication to the conservation of paper artifacts goes beyond mere passion—it is a true vocation. Much like a medical professional who treats patients with care and precision, I approach each artifact as a unique patient, deserving of expert attention and meticulous care.
With extensive experience in the conservation of rare and valuable paper materials, including rare books, photographic materials, contemporary art, and archival documents, I bring a wealth of expertise to every project.
I am an active member of the Book and Paper Specialty Group, The Photographic Material Group, and Conservators in Private Practice, where I hold the designation of a peer reviewed Fellow status with the American Institute of Conservation. Additionally, I am involved with the Western Association of Art Conservators, the Midwest Regional Conservation Guild, and New England Conservation Association.
Thank you for considering me for your preservation needs.
I am an active member of the Book and Paper Specialty Group, The Photographic Material Group, and Conservators in Private Practice for the American Institute of Conservation for which I am a Professional Associate. I am also an active member of the Western Association of Art Conservators and the Midwest Regional Conservation Guild.
decades of experience
Education & Work
Seth Irwin is an experienced paper conservator with a Master’s degree in Art Conservation from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, specializing in paper-based artifacts. Additionally, he has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Pratt Institute, NY. His career began with a fourteen-month tenure in Alaska, working with museums to assess collections, repair high-value artifacts, and train staff. He then served as the Paper Conservator for the University of Hawaii Library System in Honolulu while managing his private practice, becoming the primary paper conservator for Hawaii and much of the South Pacific.
After relocating to Maynard, Massachusetts, Seth continued his private practice and later accepted a position as the Paper Conservator for the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, IN, balancing both roles. He has since returned to Maynard, MA, where he now focuses exclusively on his full-time private conservation practice.
professional projects in the public & private sectors
Institutions for which I’ve Done Restoration
NANTUCKET SHIPWRECK AND LIFESAVING MUSEUM
CITY OF WORCESTER CLERKS OFFICE, COLLECTION ASSESSMENT
BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
UXBRIDGE FREE LIBRARY, UXBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
AGAWAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
GROVELAND LANGLEY-ADAMS LIBRARY
ALASKA STATE MUSEUM, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
THE HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART, HONOLULU, HAWAII
BISHOP MUSEUM, HONOLULU, HAWAII
THE HONOLULU GERMAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, HONOLULU, HAWAII
HONOLULU JUDICIAL HISTORY CENTER, HONOLULU, HAWAII
HAWAII IOLANI PALACE, HONOLULU, HAWAII
THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
THE ALEUTIIC MUSEUM, KODIAK, ALASKA
THE BARANOV MUSEUM, KODIAK, ALASKA
THE PRATT MUSEUM, HOMER, ALASKA
THE DOROTHY PAGE MUSEUM, WASILLA, ALASKA
THE KENAI VISITOR AND CULTURE CENTER, KENAI, ALASKA
THE ANCHORAGE MUSEUM AT THE RASMUSON CENTER, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
THE EAGLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM, EAGLE, ALASKA
THE ALASKA AVIATION HERITAGE MUSEUM, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
THE VALDEZ MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL ARCHIVE, VALDEZ, ALASKA
THE CLAUSEN MEMORIAL MUSEUM, PETERSBURG ALASKA
THE ALASKA STATE MUSEUM, JUNEAU, ALASKA
AGAWAM PUBLIC LIBRARY, AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS
SHANGRI LA DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION, HONOLULU, HAWAII
USS MISSOURI MUSEUM, HONOLULU, HAWAII
On the topic of restoration & Conservation
PUBLICATIONS
Seth Irwin, 2022, BONG HiTS 4 JESUS: Conserving a Controversy, American Institute for Conservation, Book and Paper Specialty Group 2022 Annual
Seth Irwin, BPG Annual Meeting Tips Sessions. 2021. Three Tips for Commercially Available Mobile-Bases for large and Heavy Equipment for Paper Conservation Labs. Book and Paper Group Wiki. American Institute for Conservation (AIC). Accessed April 30, 2021.
Seth Irwin, 2016, “A Clear Suction, An Easy and Cost Effective Method for Making a Transparent Suction Platen”, American Institute for Conservation, Book and Paper Specialty Group 2016 Annual
Seth Irwin, 2016, “The Adaption of the Video Slider into a ‘Microscope Bridge’ as a Practical Alternative for Using a Stereomicroscope to Examine and Treat Oversize Paper Artifacts”, American Institute for Conservation, Book and Paper Specialty Group 2016 Annual
Seth Irwin, 2012, “Paper Conservation in the Far North: A Project Summary from Alaska”, E-Conservation Magazine, Issue 25
Seth Irwin, 2011, “A Comparison of the Use of Sodium Metabisulfite and Sodium Dithionite for Removing Rust Stains from Paper”, American Institute for Conservation, Book and Paper Specialty Group 2011 Annual
Seth Irwin, Randy Silverman, 2009, “Fire and Ice Revisited: A Comparison of Two Soot Removal Techniques for Books”, International Preservation News, Number 49 International Federation of Library Associations 2010 Publication Co Authored with Randy Silverman, Preservation Librarian Marriott Library University of Utah