Testimonials

“The Conservation Center has proven to be an invaluable resource when needed for the restoration of art works in our collection. I appreciate the Center’s professional courteous service as well as its expertise. There is a great comfort level when placing valued objects into the Center’s capable hands.”
– Jack Guthman, 2012

“I have been a collector of fine art for over 40 years. During the past 10 years, I have used The Conservation Center to restore and reframe numerous items, including a painting by Nicolas Africano and a drawing by Sol Lewitt. The staff of The Conservation Center is knowledgeable, very professional and their workmanship is outstanding. I highly recommend them.”
– David W. “Buzz” Ruttenberg, Belgravia Group, Founder, 2012

“Several years ago I was introduced to the Conservation Center.  Since that time, I have used their services to repair furniture, restore art objects and fix personal items. I have always been pleased with their work and would not hesitate to recommend them to any one needing high quality restoration.”
– Robert Dunn Glick, Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered, 2012

“In 2004, I was CEO of LaSalle Bank when its corporate office location suffered a fire.  Many important and valuable pieces of photography were damaged.  The Conservation Center expertly cleaned and restored the items so that the bank’s collection was preserved for future generations.

On a personal level, I recently moved and built a new library.  The people at The Conservation Center packed and moved my library with great care and attention to the proper handling of the items in my collection.

Whether it has been books, artwork, furniture, or small treasured items, I have placed my trust
in the expert treatment, service, and professionalism provided by The Conservation Center.”
– Norman Bobins, 2012

“I wanted to thank you for your excellent work on the pieces from our collection. I so appreciate you dedication to returning the pieces to their pre-flood condition, and in some instances, I think you worked miracles. I was especially thrilled by what you were able to do with Uncle Dave Macon’s chair. I never imagined it could be restored, and I am thrilled to be able to display it again.”
– Grand Ole Opry Acuff House, 2011

“I just wanted to let you know that the print arrived safely and all looks good… thank you for the great restoration, I will enjoy it for many years.”
– Private Client, 2011

“Just a brief email to let you know that the railway clock is now safely re-installed in my house and it looks splendid. Very nice job, thank you I really appreciate the hard work that you put into this piece. Thank you for a job well done.”
– Private Client, 2011

“I was reviewing one of the “before” photos of a Medal of Honor and I can’t believe what a nice job they did! I’m not sure if you saw it when it came in, but look at the difference! So please pass along our thanks to the conservators, they really did an amazing job!”
– Registrar at a Midwest Museum, 2011

“The Roger M. papers were returned last Friday and they look wonderful! Please thank the conservator for his/her awesome work.”
– Registrar at a Midwest Museum, 2011

"Recently during [a] claim we had a need to restore fine arts that had been damaged by water. We used the Chicago Conservation Center. [The insureds] as well as Westfield and their agent were extremely pleased with the restoration work! ... This sort of restoration takes some time, but it is well worth the investment when dealing with fine art." 
– John H. Grennen, Regional Property Specialist, Westfield Insurance, September 2009

“My husband’s diploma arrived and it is simply beautiful! The packaging was excellent and the quality and craftsmanship are outstanding. I could not be more pleased with the work you and your colleagues did for me. Thank you again for allowing me to restore something that is priceless to my husband. I know he will be thrilled. Please know that I will keep you and your amazing team in mind the next time I need expert restoration help.”
– Pat Gravenor

“The painting turned out fabulously. It looks better now than I’ve ever seen it. We do have a weekly newsletter and I’m sure that we would include a story about the restoration.”
– Saint Francis De Sales Seminary

“The restored photo of my dad’s ship arrived yesterday and I gave it to him today. It looks fantastic and Dad was overcome with emotion when he saw it. It will hang on his wall for the rest of his life. My sincere thanks to you and the ‘magicians’ on your team. What they did to the photo is incredible. You guys are the best: you know it and now I have an additional (now personal) testimony when I speak with folks about CCC.”
– Private Client, August 2007

“I picked up the Ming Dynasty Horse. I’m sure it was no big deal for your team, but they did an excellent job. And it was wrapped in such a fashion…that even I couldn’t break it!”
– BCU Risk Advisors

“On behalf of the Northbrook Community Associates of The Art Institute of Chicago, thank you for your time to enlighten us. The murals and history of Lane Tech is fascinating. The tour of The Conservation Center was equally fascinating. Your introduction to the world of conservation and restoration was riveting and it was difficult to leave.”
– Nadine Minnig, Program Co-Chairman

“One of my dad’s cherished items there is the picture of his Navy ship that you so kindly restored. Thank you for making an “old Navy veteran” a happier man.”
– Don Eisenstein

“I have been meaning to write a note to let you know how much we love the work the conservation staff did on our painting. After such a bad tear, we never hoped to get such a fabulous result. Everyone we worked with was so helpful and professional. The Captain is looking quite handsome and we are so happy that we wanted to let you know. Thank You! We will definitely be returning for any conservation help in the future!”
– Private Clients

“The work you have done on my paintings has added great joy to my everyday life. Give my best to all the “wonder makers” who brought my paintings back to life. Our short visit to the center was a rare experience. I am in awe of the tremendous talent your professionals possess.”
– Private client, September 2007

“Miss Big Eyes” arrived yesterday….the transformation is amazing. The deep color tones are wonderful. The painting became alive. I look at the old pictures of the painting, and I am reminded of the dedicated work that you do. This very unimportant tiny piece of our art history is restored. I know that you work on antiquities and the works of masters, but you have taken the time to renew my “tiny treasures”. I am grateful to each and every one of you. I shall continue to look for the discarded pieces that most people have all but thrown away. If I find them, I will send them to you… and you will breathe new life into the past.”
- Private client, April 2006

“Excellent results for a fair price. The transformation was magical!”
– A. Stout, August 2004

“What we really have to thank you for is the superb work you had done on all of our paintings, in restoring them to their original condition and in a number of cases better than original. As you know our particular interest was whether you would be able to restore the painting of Jesus […] we were […] amazed at the condition of this piece once we actually saw it. Our hats are off to you and your staff for bringing back to us things that we thought we had surely lost.”
– Henry & Minny Mozina, 2004

“I had to write this note of thanks to you and the team. The chairs are absolutely stunning. The damaged wood has been polished and smoothed to blend with the other wood and now has the look and feel of a lovingly worn surface with a rich patina. The quality of the finished upholstery work is superb with its perfectly stitched tight corners and graceful cord welting. The mohair I selected was a perfect complement to the era of the chairs but the upholsterer did magic with the application. Please extend my thanks to anyone involved in this project. I could not be more pleased.”
– Private Client, June 2008

“Thanks so much for all your help with ‘La Nina’. It looks fabulous! Everything about the frame is perfect, size color et al. A special thanks for hurrying it along. It is such a welcomed surprise to have it earlier than we thought.”
-Private Client, 2007

Dear The Conservation Center,

I am the great grand-daughter of Ralph Hedley, 1848-1913, painter and woodcarver of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. I am currently researching for an online archive for Ralph Hedley, and know that, as young man, he was apprenticed to Thomas Tweedy and worked with Gerrard Robinson for a time.

My purpose in writing is that, in the course of researching Ralph’s influences, I came across your story of the conservation of the Chevy Chase sideboard. When the devastation of Hurricane Katrina happened, whilst touched and sympathetic for the people, it did not occur to me that it would affect me or my family. That’s what I thought!

I just want to express my astonishment at the wonderful job you have done, the love and care you have given, and pride that the work of Gerrard Robinson should be so valued, so long after it was created and so far away.

One of our family legends is how carefully wood for carving was chosen and seasoned by Ralph Hedley and his son Roger Hedley who carried on the business until the 1960s. I think I now know where they got that from. The wood does not seem to have split at all.

With thanks for your wonderful work, and congratulations to all the conservators who worked on it.

With best wishes,
Clodagh Brown
London