Collection review at the Museum of Research Applications in Marnes-la-Coquette

From May 27 to 31, 2024, nine students in conservation, restoration and collection management from the French National Heritage Institute (INP) and the Ecole du Louvre, accompanied by conservation and restoration expert and supervisor Sarah Kuperholc, carried out a collection review at the Museum of Research Applications in Marnes-la-Coquette. Their work was presented at a study day on Friday January 24, 2025 at the French National Institute for Art History (INHA).

Up (from left to right) : Fabien Rat, Juliette Gicque-Molard, Raphaël Holstein, Sara Kuperholc, Daly Belkir, Théo Levaltier
Below (from left to right) : Mélinée Ducerf, Anaïs Chazel, Claire Prêtre, Alban François

The Museum of Research Applications, housed in the Pavillon des Cent Gardes in Louis Pasteur's former apartment, has been closed since 2007. It presented the story of Pasteur's discoveries in the field of infectious diseases. The museum also houses the burial chamber of Louis Pasteur, who died on September 28, 1895.

The aims of the collection review were to remove dust, take photographs, review and recondition the items in line with plans for the future museum. More than 65 items were examined over the course of the week.
 
The collection review involved several stages:

•    Identifying and prioritizing items to be researched in more depth
•    Removing dust from the selected items to facilitate long-term conservation
•    Reviewing the condition of the items to identify possible wear and damage
•    Taking photos of the items
•    Inventorying the items by entering relevant information in the database (dimensions, name, materials and techniques, etc.)
•    Packaging the items so that they can be temporarily stored on the Marnes-la-Coquette site before being transferred to the Institut Pasteur
•    Estimating the material and logistical requirements to transfer the collections

 

 

See the video to find out more about the collection review (in French)

 

Left : Model of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, yellow fever vector, Deyrolle, MP31902
Right : Microscope that belonged to Ilya Mechnikov, Stiassnie Paris, MP28334

 

Left :  Nachet microscope with bellows, MP29739
Right :  Steam disinfection, Fizel, MP28848

 

Left :  Microscope that belonged to Emile Roux, Carl Zeiss, MP29472
Right : Microscope, Stiassnie Paris, MP29740

 

Left :  Nachet-style microscope that belonged to G. Ramon, MP29738
Right : Electric lamp for microscope, MP29744

 

Left :  Microtome, Stiassnie Paris, MP29748
Right : Laboratory beam balance on a base with drawers, MP29752

 

Left :  Chamberland filter, Pasteur system with candles, MP29754
Right : Hand press that belonged to Emile Roux, MP30101

 

Left :  De Fonbrune micromanipulator, MP30108
Right : Light on microscope, diffraction system, Carl Zeiss – Jena, MP30210

 

Left :  Bust of Emile Roux, MP30109
Right : Poster "Un Grand Fléau, La Tuberculose," Léopold Verger et Cie/F. Galais, MP30113

 

Left :  Stuffed tarbagan marmot, MP30212
Right : Stuffed squirrel, MP30214

 

Left :  Tsetse fly larvae, MP31904
Right : Model of Glossina palpalis tsetse fly, SNINP2024.04

 

The collection review provided a clearer idea of the items. This year the museum is planning to continue this work by documenting and restoring some items with a view to their inclusion in the permanent exhibition of the future museum.

f you are interested in the museum project, whether you know more about any of these items or you have technical or scientific objects that can provide clues to the past activities of the Institut Pasteur's laboratories, feel free to contact the museum team: musee@pasteur.fr