Linoleum has been around for over a hundred years. With its invention by
Frederick Walton in the 1860’s a new means of durable floor covering was
introduced to the world. This new invention was promoted as durable, hygienic,
and easy to maintain. In agreement with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, a
study was commissioned to seek the best means to conserve linoleum from a canal
boat excavated in the summer of 2002 in Lake Champlain. The Sloop Island Canal
Boat is part of an excavation project that is studying the ways of life on the
lake. Conserving waterlogged linoleum is a new area of study in conservation,
and there is very little information dealing with the topic. This study will
provide a baseline for the conservation of linoleum.