Don't underestimate the power of nature. Acidity, light, and high temperature and humidity are the greatest threats to your family papers.

Several kinds of plastics are useful in preserving your treasures. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate, and acrylic products are all stable materials that can help protect your heirlooms.

Image: "Kentucky Babe: Plantation Lullaby" 1896 (Historic Sheet Music Library, Duke University)

Top: "Liberty Hall, Frankfort, KY - Thomas Jefferson, Architect" (Library of Congress)

Bottom: "Sketch of John Jacob Niles from a drawing by one of the Scheffersy family, ca. 1932"
(John Jacob Niles Photographic Collection, Kentuckiana Digital Library)

Use and Display

• Do not laminate special papers; the process can be harmful, and it is irreversible. Consult a conservator before using any commercial deacidification products.
• Avoid folding and unfolding papers; it weakens them. Place oversized items flat on larger pieces of acid-free matboard.

Storage

• Store paper materials in darkness and ration their time in the light -- especially their moments in the sun.
• Store loose papers unfolded in acid-free paper or polyester folders. Put fragile or torn documents in individual folders and keep the folders in acid-free (not wooden) boxes.
• Highly acidic materials like newspaper clippings often become yellow and brittle quickly. Separate them from other papers and photocopy the clippings onto acid-free paper.
• Bugs love glue and paper. Keep an eye out for creatures feasting on your precious papers.

Care

• Never use paper clips, staples, rubber bands, tape or glue on important papers.
• Consult a conservator if you find evidence of dirt or mold on prized papers.

Glossary

acid-free tissue - In the course of time most tissue paper will become acidic and brittle with age. The acidity will transfer to adjacent objects causing these objects to become weaker and possibly discolored. Acid free tissue papers are specially processed to remove such contaminants. An 18 pound weight paper is useful for quilts, coverlets, and the storage of other flat textiles. For stuffing or interleaving, a lighter 12 pound paper is better. This lighter acid free paper is also known as "laminating tissue."

conservator - persons who periodically examine objects, document their condition, and, if necessary, treat and repair them to protect collections over time.
For more information or to locate a professional conservator, visit The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works.

muslin - a thin plain-weave cotton cloth used for curtains, sheets, and dresses

PAT test (photographic activity test) - a test that predicts possible interactions between photographic images and the enclosures in which they are stored. Boxes or other types of enclosures that hold several images, even if those images are in envelopes or sleeves, should be tested too. Many of the harmful chemicals in poor-quality enclosures can become airborne and, over time, work their way to the photograph.

PVC pipe - a lightweight, durable, and waterproof plastic pipe used for plumbing

polyethylene bags - flexible, extremely tough, and chemical-resistant plastic bags commonly used as sandwich or freezer storage

ragboard - board made from cotton and contains no wood (lignins). Little pulping or purification is required because cotton is the purest natural form of cellulose. Rag board is also called Museum Board, is acid-free and meets the standards set by the Library of Congress for museum quality matboard. It is available with or without buffering.

unbuffered - containing neither alkaline nor acid