The 1966 Florence Flood revolutionized the field of art conservation as had no other single event, and served as a catalyst for the development of new materials and methods of restoration, particularly for mass and large-scale treatment. The lessons learned extend far beyond a list of approved materials and techniques, or of approaches to avoid. The papers in this volume not only give us a record of the conditions at the time, but also allow us to be better prepared to face such a disaster again, and how to mitigate the risk of damage occurring in the first place.