Conservation Techniques at the Museum

The Whitley County Historical Museum uses various conservation techniques to ensure artifacts are preserved and protected for many generations to come. Many of these techniques are industry standard processes. The Whitley County Historical Museum monitors state and federal conservation techniques to stay up to date with state of the art preservation information. One important note: "Never do something to an artifact that you cannot undo!"

*These are general preservation techniques. Please consult a conservation specialist before attempting preservation.

Paper Artifacts

Paper artifacts are generally preserved with a method called encapsulation. Many museums encapsulate documents, manuscripts and paper artifacts to protect the artifact from frequent handling and for storage preparation. The document is placed upon an archival piece of cardstock or if the artifact has important information on both sides, a clear polyester sheet is used for the underlayer. Double sided archival tape is then used around the artifact with plenty of space for the border. Another clear polyester sheet is then placed upon the top and the artifact is now secured. An identifying museum number is generally placed upon the artifact and the cardsheet underlayer.

When accessioning paper objects, it's important to use an archival pencil with a softer lead. A special assigned number for that artifact is then placed upon the artifact as well as the container that the artifact is stored in.

Object Artifacts

Photograph Artifacts

Accessioning

Accessioning is a process of adding a document, object, book, photograph, etc... to a collection by recording it, documenting it, photgraphing it, labeling it, and storing the artifact. During the accessioning process, gloves may be worn to protect the artifact from the oils on our fingers.

Objects vary in the process of preservation. Many objects can be safely labeled with a clear coat barrier layer, followed by a middle coat, the number is then applied and then topped with another coat. The number is applied with archival pigment markers. The middle coat varies in white or clear coat as to the color of the object that the number is being placed. Most times, the accession number is applied to artifacts in a less conspicuous place. For example, a kitchen chair may have its number placed upon the bottom of the seat.

Photograph artifacts are preserved and carefully accessioned similarly to document artifacts. An accession number is placed upon the back side of the photograph, usually in soft lead pencils. The photograph is then sleeved in a pocket of clear polyester and archival cardstock. The number is also transferred to the top front of the artifact under the clear polyester onto the cardstock while still being able to see the artifact clearly. Once the artifact has been accessioned and preserved, it is then place in an archival photo storage box with other similar photo items.

Clothing Artifacts

Clothing is generally preserved by sewing an archival piece of fabric into the main portion of the clothing artifact. The number is then written on the added fabric tag. The clothing piece is then placed in an archival clothing storage box and wrapped in archival tissue depending on the type of material the clothing is made from. The archival clothing box will then house similar material clothing artifacts separated by archival tissue paper.