Every day people contact Ohio History Connection's Archives & Library and Curatorial Teams to learn more about how to preserve items they own. Below are some of our favorite resources for preserving family history documents, photographs and objects and artifacts of different material types.
To preserve paper-based materials, you will want to store them flat not folded, in an acid-free folder or box away from light in a place with a constant temperature and humidity. (Avoid basements or attics). Label the folder or box with the information and stories you know about the collection and how it came to you. Handle carefully with clean, dry hands.
You will find more information on the Care, Handling, and Storage of Works on Paper on the Library of Congress’ website: Collections Care (Preservation, Library of Congress).
Smithsonian National Postal Museum: Preserving Your Letters and Documents.
San Diego State University: Family History Archiving.
Smithsonian Institution Archives: Six Tips for Preserving Family Archives and Quick Tips for Preserving Your Family’s Past.
The book, How to Archive Family Keepsakes by Denise May Levenick, is a very approachable and practical guide.
Preserving Your Books - Research Guides at Library of Congress: The Library of Congress knows a thing or two about caring for old books! You will find information here about handling, storing and repairing your books; and links to even more information.
Your Old Books: The Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries created this guide to address some frequently asked questions about rare and older books and their values.
National Archives: Preservation.
The National Archives (United Kingdom) Blog: How to Date Family Photographs.
Northeast Document Conservation Center: 5.2.1 Types of Photographs, Part 1: 19th and Early 20th Century.
Library of Congress: Care, Handling, and Storage of Photographs.
National Archives Prologue Magazine, Fall 2015: Preserving Family Photos.
Ohio History Connection: Photograph Research Guide.
Ohio History Connection: Object and Artifact Preservation Resources
Ohio History Connection: Resources for Identifying and Researching Your Artifacts, Objects and Specimens