The Mariners' Museum and Park

The Mariners' Museum will purchase, install, and operate a new electrolytic reduction (ER) computer monitoring system to support the conservation of the revolving gun turret from the USS Monitor. The use of ER is a major part of the conservation process for the turret, as the information generated directly affects the museum's understanding of how the artifact's conservation treatment process is working and when it is necessary to make adjustments to the process. Both the hardware and software of the current system have become obsolete with technological support no longer available. The implementation of the new system will make it possible for conservation to be more efficiently completed while expanding the body of conservation knowledge that exists within the field. The project will benefit conservation and museum professionals around the world, as well as visitors to The Mariners' Museum, and public audiences reached by lectures and web content.