Cape Fear Museum, conservation expert look to save a piece of Wilmington's history

The Cape Fear Museum turned to an expert Wednesday to save a piece of Wilmington's past.

Conservation expert Todd Jorgensen, who has worked on exhibits at the Smithsonian, is in the Port City to preserve a portion of a historic longleaf pine.

The tree is an example of an old method used to collect sap; a process important to make tar and turpentine in colonial times.

“It's a teaching tool when you can actually put the artifact out on display and explain the story behind it,” said Cape Fear Museum curator Barbara Rowe. “This is the old style, and that's why its important to us and we want to include it in our colonial exhibit.”

The tree will be finished and put on display some time in January.

An exhibit opening Friday will show off samples of Jorgensen's work through the years.