Carolyn L. Rose ( – ) was an

archaeological Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...

conservator for the

Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution ( ), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums and education and research centers, the largest such complex in the world, created by the U.S. government "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". Founded ...

and one of the first

ethnographic Ethnography (from Greek ''ethnos'' "folk, people, nation" and ''grapho'' "I write") is a branch of anthropology and the systematic study of individual cultures. Ethnography explores cultural phenomena from the point of view of the subject o ...

conservators in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Early life and education

Carolyn L. Rose was born on in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

and raised in

Washington, Pennsylvania Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania. A part of the Greater Pittsburgh area in the southwestern part of the state, the city is home to Washington & Jefferson College and Pony League baseball. The populat ...

. She married Dr. David von Endt.

Career

She obtained a degree in art history from

Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar College is a private women's college in Sweet Briar, Virginia. It was established in 1901 by Indiana Fletcher Williams in memory of her deceased daughter, Daisy. The college formally opened its doors in 1906 and granted the B.A. deg ...

, and obtained her master's degree at George Washington University (GWU) in 1976. She first interned as a student and then later started working for the Smithsonian as a

conservation technician A conservation technician is a specialist in conservation methods pertaining to cultural property, and who may work in museums or public or private conservation organizations. A technician may also work in conjunction with other collection staff, s ...

in 1972. She became a senior research conservator for the

National Museum of Natural History The National Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum administered by the Smithsonian Institution, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., United States. It has free admission and is open 364 days a year. In 2021, with 7 ...

in 1990."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. In 2000, she began her position as a chair woman at the Smithsonian Institution's anthropology department. Rose was also an adjunct

associate professor Associate professor is an academic title with two principal meanings: in the North American system and that of the ''Commonwealth system''. Overview In the ''North American system'', used in the United States and many other countries, it is a ...

George Washington University , mottoeng = "God is Our Trust" , established = , type = Private federally chartered research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $2.8 billion (2022) , preside ...

since 1983."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. She created anthropological conservation, a sub-discipline ethnography. Rose was president of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) from 1994-1995."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. and the Washington Conservation Guild."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003.

Awards and honors

In 1992, Rose won the

Rutherford John Gettens Rutherford John Gettens (January 17, 1900 – June 17, 1974) was a chemist and pioneering conservation scientist. Born to Daniel and Clara (Rutherford) Gettens, Rutherford John Gettens grew up in Mooers, New York, where he became valedictorian of h ...

Merit Award for contributions to the American Institute for Conservation. In 1996 and 1998, she received Exceptional Service Awards from the National Museum of Natural History. Also in 1996, Rose received the Award for Outstanding Service as President of SPNHC."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. In 2001, Rose was awarded SPNHC's President's Award for distinguished service as President of SPNHC. In 2002, Rose was awarded SPNHC's Award for distinguished service and lifetime contribution to SPNHC's mission and values. Rose was awarded the President's Medal at George Washington University. George Washington University President

Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Stephen Joel Trachtenberg (born December 14, 1937) was the 15th President of the George Washington University, serving from 1988 to 2007. On August 1, 2007, he retired from the presidency and became GW's President Emeritus and University Professo ...

described her as a "one-woman graduate school," due to having taught many ethnographic and archaeological conservators.

Death and legacy

Carolyn L. Rose died of cancer on August 29, 2002 in Washington, D.C."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. She is survived by her husband, mother, brother, daughter, and grandchildren."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections' highest honor - SPNHC Award - was renamed in Carolyn Rose's honor."Carolyn L. Rose"
(PDF). SPNHC Newsletter. Vol 17, No. 1. pg. 1–2. March 2003. Dr. Hanna M. Szczepanowska dedicated her 2012 textbook "Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Key Principles and Approaches" in memory of Carolyn Rose.

Publications

Examination and Stabilization of two Bull Mummies
(1978)
Protein Chemistry for Conservators
(1984) Editor
Ethical and Practical Considerations in Conserving Ethnographic Museum Objects
(~1998)
Storage of Natural History Collections : Ideas and Practical Solutions
(1992)
Preserving Natural Science Collections: Chronicle of Our Environmental Heritage
(1993) - Preface

References

External links

* Rose's essay for the

Getty Conservation Institute The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), located in Los Angeles, California, is a program of the J. Paul Getty Trust. It is headquartered at the Getty Center but also has facilities at the Getty Villa, and commenced operation in 1985.J. Paul Getty T ...

"Conservation of Museum Collections"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rose, Carolyn Created via preloaddraft Smithsonian Institution people Sweet Briar College alumni George Washington University alumni Conservator-restorers George Washington University faculty 1949 births 2002 deaths 20th-century American women American women scientists Museum people People from Pittsburgh Women conservationists