Collections, Conservation, and Material Memory: A Reception in Honor of Robert Bayard Severy

Robert Bayard Severy was born on October 11, 1944, at the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Severy is a local historian and photographer from Dorchester, and a longtime official in the Dorchester Historical Society. Severy attended Suffolk University and received a certificate in Photography from the Franklin Institute in 1967. He worked in the Human Resources Division for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over 32 years, allowing him to pursue his interests in photography by documenting the changing streetscapes of Boston and nearby towns; which Rev Spaces proudly holds within their archives. Since the early 1980s, Robert has also documented gravestones in New England cemeteries.

Melissa Carr trained as a chemist and cabinetmaker before completing her graduate work in the Furniture Conservation Training Program at the Smithsonian Institution’s Conservation Analytical Laboratory. She has also studied at the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo. Ms. Carr specializes in the conservation of wooden objects and Asian lacquer from the 13th to 20th century. Her private firm, Masterwork Conservation(opens in new tab), provides services to major museums, institutions, and private collectors.

Claire Burns is the Collections Manager and Registrar at Revolutionary Spaces, where she oversees the care, documentation, and stewardship of the organization’s collections. She holds a BS in Art Conservation Studies and brings more than a decade of experience in preservation and collections care. Her work is grounded in a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring collections are thoughtfully cared for and accessible for future generations.