2012 Annual Meeting of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers
It was a wonderful and unusual opportunity for Scott M. Haskins, world renown painting and art conservator, to be the featured speaker to 450 attendees at the main session of the Annual Director’s Meeting of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in Ogden, Utah on June 9, 2012.
What made it so wonderful is the connection Mr. Haskins feels with the DUP having been working on the paintings in the collection of the International Museum of Pioneers in Salt Lake City since 1980.
The museum collection has many important paintings many of which are from the Nauvoo Period (1840’s) and were brought across the plains by the pioneers. Many were made by the new immigrants in their new land. In all, it’s a wonderful collection of Early Americana. Besides there being wonderful works of art, the documentary value of the Expansionist Period of the United States is priceless. Of course, the museum collection is not made up of only paintings. In fact the thrill of seeing this museum is that of entering a time capsule of life from the 1800’s as you are surrounded by all that they used with the walls lined of photos with facial expressions from those days.
Detail of Portrait of Brigham Young in Nauvoo c. 1843
Therefore, the slides, photos and stories that Mr. Haskins showed the group and told were not High Society – high brow narratives for art world conoscenti. The exact opposite! The slides were of DUP paintings and the stories brought laughter and taught home spun lessons of preserving family memorabilia, heirlooms, collectibles… and stuff!
Pioneer Children by CCA Christiansen
Scott M. Haskins is also the author of the best sold home preservation manual entitled, “How To Save Your Stuff From A Disaster.” Once again, this down home connection has endeared him and helped him to target his message to the attendees of the DUP conference, assisting them with tips and stories on how to protect and save the collectibles, and heirlooms in their care. Mr. Haskins spoke for about 25 minutes and no one was seen to have fallen asleep… which is quite something give the median age of this group!
Save Your Stuff Book Sales Table
After the main session of the conference, about 50 lucky workshop attendees had the fun and educational experience of sitting together with Mr. Haskins as they looked at examples, saw more slides, asked all the questions they could think of and had a fun sweepstakes drawing for over $2,000.00 in prizes including free video recorders for taping the contents of homes for insurance purposes (that’s a tip for you!) and a year’s membership to Ancestry.com. The workshop ended with a very useful panel discussion to bring together all the preservation experts at the conference for discussion and questions.
Mr. Haskins sold his book, “How To Save Your Stuff From A Disaster”, at the conference along with an instructional CD and an anchoring product (in case of hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados and grandkids) called Museum Wax. From the profits of the items sold, Mr. Haskins’ company Save Your Stuff LLC donated $326 to the DUP.
Save Your Stuff Book
As an ongoing effort to raise money for the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and to educate its members on preservation techniques for the home and small museum, an educational website showing art restoration- painting conservation projects has been set up at (click on this name to go to the website-blog) Pioneer Art Restoration. This interesting and entertaining website is updated often with new stories, videos and photos. You can sign up for automatic updates in the side bar without being put on a mailing list.
Mr. Haskins was very pleased with the 2012 DUP National Meeting event for its directors and DUP President, Maureen Smith expressed high praises for the message of the speech and the workshop. The membership seemed entertained and was hungry for the education on preserving important treasured items at home and in the local chapter DUP Museums.
If you would like to see Mr. Scott Haskins speak at your upcoming event, put on a workshop, contribute to your newsletter or website with tips, stories, video and photos call Fine Art Conservation Laboratories and discuss your needs with Mr. Haskins’ Assistant Francesca Ruggeri at 805 564 3438 or email at francescafacl@yahoo.com
To read a recent newspaper article about Scott M. Haskins and his company, Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, click on this link: FACL Newspaper Article (leave a comment if you like the article!)
If you would like to see a short video tour of Mr. Haskins art conservation laboratory click on this link: Lab Tour (leave a comment after your tour!)
Once again, if you would like to see the website set up for Early Americana art, Pioneer Art click here: Pioneer Art Restoration
Art appraisal questions? Call Richard Holgate at 805 895 5121 or click here for the website: Appraisals of fine art, antiques and more
See various YouTube videos on practical lessons on protecting your collectibles and other treasured items at this link (click on this name) Preservation Coach. (leave a comments on the videos you like!)
Most recent restoration project: Dan Weggeland painting of Pioneers Crossing the Platte River 1869
Orson Pratt Family
I posted your link on our college class blog on local history. Loved it.
I am sorry I missed the presentation but I know what a wonderful expert you are Scott. In fact I am going to call you for a consult very soon.
I read your book recently Scott, and I learned so much about preserving historical pieces so well. It is a necessity to do so because you never know what can ruin it. Thanks for all of your work.
This is a great article. I am sorry I missed the event. I would love to attend one of your presentations one day.
I wish I was able to make it as I really wanted to learn about preserving our collectibles better. It sounded like a wonderful conference.
You have questions about restoring ruined or worn out artwork and collectibles, Scott is the expert to talk to. I am certainly glad I had the chance to do it.
Scott it was one of the best presentations I have attended. I may also consider hiring you for a talk. I will be in touch.
Dear Scott,
After hearing your presentation in June at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Seminar in Layton, I would like to ask about your availability to talk to our DUP group (Company) on October 22, 2012. Your son suggested I e-mail you to see if or when you were going to be in Utah–so I’m giving it a shot. Our hope is that you would be in Utah on that date and would be available to speak to our Utah North Center Company DUP, covering much of the same material you covered in June. We loved hearing about your training, expertise and projects, at this meeting your blogging about. Our Company would number approximately 100 women, but we would like permission to invite the public as well. It would be well worth their time.
Lynne Lynn, Teasurer
Lynne, I would be happy to discuss with you the arrangements. I would love to meet with your company. Call me on my phone at 805 564 3438 or email me at faclartdoc@gmail.com
It sounded like a wonderful event. I wish I was there. I will actually be in contact with you, and have a few questions to ask about a painting of mine that is in obvious need of restoration.
Thank you for donating a portion of your profits to DUP.
How interesting! I have ancestors that immigrated to Utah in the 1800’s. I wonder if I am a daughter of Utah Pioneers?!
Isabella, you should check to see if you are! Trying calling the organization at 801 532 6479
I am sorry I missed the event. Will you be speaking again? I hope so and will make sure to attend.
I love your work with the DUP. I heard you will speaking again?
I always knew that these collectibles needed special care just in case a disaster were to happen. However before I met Scott, I was really clueless as how to care for them. Now I know, thanks again Scott. Wonderful event.
I also am sad that I missed the event, but I heard it was wonderful. Hope to attend next year.
Well, Marcia, I’m not an annual speaker. As far as I know it was this one event only. However, I will be speaking at the Layton, UT, DUP Company meeting on Oct. and you could see me there. By the way, you can got to http://www.PioneerArtRestoration.com to see posting of projects. I will be adding many new postings soon.
One of the most incredible presentations I have ever been to, excellent work Scott.
Thanks Rose. You will enjoy Youtube Channel “Preservationcoach” where I have posted many How-To videos. Be sure to subscribe to the channel so you get updates when I add a new video (I have three in the making).
I am sorry I missed the event, I heard about it and heard how wonderful it was and heard how inspiring you were Scott, like always.
Thank you Scott for the great work and what you have done for the Daughters.
Thanks Renee. You will enjoy Youtube Channel “Preservationcoach” where I have posted many How-To videos. Be sure to subscribe to the channel so you get updates when I add a new video (I have three in the making). Also, I will be speaking at the Layton, UT, DUP Company meeting on Oct. and you could see me there. By the way, you can got to http://www.PioneerArtRestoration.com to see posting of projects. I will be adding many new postings soon.
Scott, thank you for all you do. Your effort is so appreciated. We have learned a lot from you in such a short time.
Loved the info and the fact you are helping the Daughters! Thanks
Great event Scott. I am ashamed of myself for not taking better care of my valuables, but since I had discovered you, I am taking the best care of them now and always will.
Of course, I’m not a member of the DUP but I love Americana art and artifacts. Your work with the DUP is much appreciated. Thanks for lending your expertise.
Excellent event Scott, and very informative too. It is amazing how much we take for granted and not care for our collectibles the way we should. Thanks for shedding light on how vulnerable it is to loss.
Unfortunately I was not able to attend but I know Scott gives informative and wonderful presentations and I have learned a lot from him already how to take care of my collectables.
Scott, that was an amazing conference and I had learned so much from that one day. I am going to be taking prime care of my collectables. Never take it for granted as anything can happen.
Scott, what an excellent workshop. You had opened our eyes on so many levels as so many of us do not properly take care of our valuables that can easily be taken away from us in no time. Thank you for all of the work you do.
Good article about what seemed like a great event. Your input and help with members of DUP is sooooo great! Thanks for your efforts.
Sorry I missed the conference and your talk and workshop! Whaaaaaaa! I need to hear so badly the tips and info you presented as an expert. What do you suggest I do to get the info? Please respond!
Sandy, I’m sorry too that you missed the conference but there are plans for me to participate in some way in the future. Please go to http://www.pioneerartrestoration.com and sign up for updates on the blog. Also, all those who buy my book are put automatically onto a continuing education program for free to receive emails, videos etc from me with tips, instructions and help.