ICA recently completed conservation treatment on two nineteenth-century cooling and embalming tables from the Dittrick Medical History Center & Museum. These historically significant medical objects arrived at our lab after a water event left both visible surface changes and hidden structural concerns that required careful stabilization. The tables were manufactured by the Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Columbus, Ohio, an American maker whose products like “The Climax” cooling board were used by undertakers and funeral directors during that period to support the body during preparation and display. Before modern refrigeration and widespread embalming techniques were established, bodies were placed on these surfaces like these tables so that fluids could drain away and ice or ambient cooling could slow decomposition, making funeral observances and transportation possible over longer periods and distances.

Though constructed from durable materials such as wood, metal hardware, and woven cane panels, these tables are highly responsive to environmental change. Exposure to moisture had disrupted surface finishes, initiated corrosion on metal elements, and introduced stresses that, if left untreated, could have accelerated long term deterioration. When the tables arrived at ICA, our objects conservation team began with a thorough condition assessment to map the extent of the damage and determine appropriate treatment pathways. Across many areas, the original varnish had blanched, creating a cloudy, whitish appearance caused when moisture becomes trapped within the finish layers. This not only altered the visual character of the surfaces but also signaled vulnerability in the protective coating. At the same time, several metal components showed early stages of active corrosion, a common secondary effect of prolonged moisture exposure. Without timely intervention, both issues had the potential to compromise the tables’ stability and interpretive value.

The conservation process focused on stabilizing materials, reducing active deterioration, and preservation. Resaturation of blanched varnish by carefully reintroducing solvents improved the disrupted surface layers. This revived both the appearance and the integrity of the existing finish without removing historic material. Disassembly and hardware removal allowed each component (wood, metal, and cane) to be treated individually and thoroughly. Active corrosion was mechanically reduced on metal elements to slow further deterioration and protect the structural components of the tables. A protective wax coating was applied to metal surfaces to provide a moisture resistant barrier against future environmental fluctuations. Once treatments were complete, the hardware was reattached and all components secured, restoring structural cohesion.

Cooling and embalming tables like these played a practical role in nineteenth-century medical and death care practices, supporting undertakers as they prepared bodies for burial at a time when refrigeration was unavailable and preservation methods were evolving. By stabilizing their surfaces, addressing corrosion, and strengthening their structural components, ICA has helped ensure that the Dittrick Medical Museum can continue to interpret and share these artifacts with future generations. We are proud to support the museum’s ongoing preservation efforts and to help safeguard objects that tell complex and important stories about medical and funerary history.