Preserving What Is Valued explores the concept of preserving heritage. It presents the conservation profession's code of ethics and discusses four significant contexts embedded in museum conservation practice: science, professionalization, museum practice, and the relationship between museums and Native American peoples.

Clavir argues that museum practices are historically grounded and represent values that are not necessarily held by the originators of the objects. She focuses on conservation, explaining the principles and methods conservators practice and discussing First...