Antarctica: History, Science and Overwintering at Scott Base

What would you say to a chance to travel to one of the most remote job sites in the world to preserve artefacts from arguably some of the most iconic historic sites on the planet?  If you were Melinda Bell, you’d say yes – twice!  As a member of the Antarctic Heritage Trust Winter Conservator Crew (2009 and 2010), the task required living and working at a science base on an island at “the end of the earth” (or close to it…), all in the pursuit of heritage conservation.  This presentation will provide an overview of that adventure – caring for historic artefacts (associated with the Scott and Shackleton expeditions), learning some polar science, pitching in, meeting “the locals” (oh, penguins…), and enjoying the scenery…      

Speaker: Melinda (Mindy) Bell

With a keen childhood interest in “Little House on the Prairie” and “Indiana Jones”, it was inevitable that Melinda pursued an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology (Lakehead University), followed by a Diploma in Collections Conservation and Management (Sir Sandford Fleming College).  Her professional career has required the wearing of many hats (archaeology, history, research, records management, artefact preservation), but has proved that you can get experience and find gainful employment with an Arts degree. She has worked at Fort William Historical Park (Thunder Bay), studied rock art in Lake of the Woods, dug for bison bones in SW Manitoba, volunteered at the Canadian Canoe Museum (Peterborough), interned at Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia), and travelled to the other side of the world to take part in heritage preservation projects in New Zealand and at Scott Base (Ross Island, Antarctica).  Melinda currently wears her records management hat, but still makes times to visit museums and historic sites, and to take up new hobbies (as a very fledgling birder).