OROVILLE undefined Head docent Carol Brown stands in the hallway at Pioneer Museum holding a dress from the 19th century. It is made of heavy black silk, accented with gold and black lace. In pieces now, it must have been stunning in its day.

Jan. 13, when museum docents examined it, the dress was in shreds, a victim of time and wear as its delicate fabric gave way. Brown said the dress will have to be destroyed. "There's no way to fix it."

The dress is an example of the challenges museum docents face when caring for Oroville's treasures of the past. Brown, along with a dozen volunteers and docents, were wrapping up three days of dusting and vacuuming at the Pioneer Museum, an annual winter task done when the town's museums are closed.

More at source:Chicoer