What is conservation?

fine arts (painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs)

decorative arts (furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass)

paper documents and books

archaeological materials

anthropological materials

monuments and historic buildings

Since most of the Maryland State Archives' collections are books and papers, the conservators at the Archives primarily work on book and paper conservation.

When evaluating an object, the conservator often incorporates his or her technical/scientific and historical/aesthetic interpretation:

Examination to determine the current condition of the object.  During this step, the object is evaluated for dirt/soot, tears or cracks, and any other imperfections in the object which may decrease its stability.

Documentation to create a permanent record of the current state of the object, called a condition report, as the foundation from which the conservator will make suggests on stabilizing or treating the object.

Preventitive Conservation allows the conservator to outline exactly what action needs to be taken to avoid future deterioriation while trying to maintain the original condition of the object as much as possible.

Treatment outlines the specific steps necessary to conserve the object.  Treatment may include, but is not limited to, removing grime and other coatings, adding materials to support orginial ones, restoring appearance, displaying/storing the object in a specific way.

The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) defines conservators as professionals who work to physically save our cultural property from the ravages of time, the threats of pollution, and the devastation brought by natural disasters. A conservator may be trained at a conservation graduate training program or by lengthy apprenticeship with experienced senior colleagues. Working in museums, other cultural institutions, research labs, and in private practice, conservators combine unique skills gained through ongoing study and advanced training in art history, science, studio art, and related disciplines to care for and preserve our tangible history.

Because of the increasingly technical nature of modern conservation, conservators usually specialize in a particular type of object, such as: paintings, works of art on paper, rare books, photographs, electronic media, textiles, furniture, archaeological and ethnographic materials, sculpture, architectural elements, or decorative arts.

What is preservation?

The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) defines preservation as the protection of cultural property through activities that minimize chemical and physical deterioration and damage and that prevent loss of informational content. The primary goal of preservation is to prolong the existence of cultural property.

Basically, preservation is the way in which deterioration of objects is slowed. However, no matter how a Conservator attempts to preserve an object, with enough time everything will deteriorate beyond repair. Preservation just slows that process down.

Paper Preservation

Paper is made from organic materials. Prior to the mid-nineteenth century, most paper was made from linen rag pulp. Linen rag paper is exceptionally durable, and many books and papers that are several hundred years old are still strong and bright.

In the mid-nineteenth century, new processes were developed to produce paper from wood pulp. Although much cheaper to produce than linen rag paper, acids and other chemicals are needed to make paper from wood pulp. Chemicals within the pulp itself and chemical residues from the processing in these wood pulp papers react with light and the environment to produce and accelerate the acids that cause paper to yellow, turn brittle and eventually disintegrate.

Most papers produced since the Civil War are made from wood pulp. Therefore, many of the papers that are important to you and your family--birth records, letters, diplomas, military records, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and the like--probably have a high acid content that is progressively destroying the paper.

The hope in preservation is that damage to objects can be prevented by providing proper handling, storage and environmental conditions.

Objects should be kept in an environment with a stable temperature and relative humidity level

Temperature and relative humidity that are too high will result in a mold outbreak

Temperature and relative humidity that are too low will cause objects to become embrittled and result in tears and lost content

Maintain a temperature of about 60F and 55% humidity if possible. At the Archives, we maintain a temperature of 65F and 45% humidity.

Environmental controls also help prevent damage from air pollution, which adversely affects books, paper, art, and objects

Limit exposure to all light.  Light damage is permanent and irreversible.

Always use acid-free enclosures, folders, boxes and trays

Store objects flat if possible

If something is too large to be stored flat, it should be stored as a large diameter roll

Use metal cabinets and shelving that have a baked enamel finish

Provide rigid support to objects at all times to prevent flexing and possible tearing

Folding objects will eventually cause tears along creases

Objects should not be forced into spaces and containers that are too small

If an object shows signs of damage and is separating into pieces, do not repair it with tape! Consult a conservator.