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INTRODUCTION

History surrounds us — in museums, in our communities, and in our homes. Whether objects were bought, found, or inherited, these artifacts offer glimpses into the past — a time, place, event, or person we wish to remember and share with the future.

As custodians of pieces of our history, we are faced with how to maintain these items. Our family history may be held in documents, photographs, books, clothing, or textiles, and sometimes complete collections of items such as coins, trading cards, or stamps. We may have little knowledge of the artifacts we hold except that they meant something to someone, and now we feel an obligation or desire to preserve them for future generations. How we choose to execute our stewardship over these items takes many forms depending on their use, importance, and condition. More importantly, how we care for the items may be determined by what we know and what we can do financially without causing additional damage and deterioration. This book will guide you through some basic preservation techniques and preventative conservation practices for artifacts commonly found in family collections.

Many new terms are introduced through the text to help give you a better understanding of preservation, conservation, and restoration of your family heirlooms. All of the terms in bold can be found in the glossary.

There are many resources to help with the initial sorting and evaluation of historic documents and artifacts, including Help! I’ve Inherited an Attic Full of History by Althea Douglas, ullished by the Ontario Genealogical Society in 2003. Once you’ve determined what you have, it’s time to decide how you’ll care for these things. Before you do anything, you should document what you have both in a written format and photographically, if possible. An accession list of all your holdings, will help you to know what you have and where it is, and help you decide what you might do with it. An accession list, similar to an inventory, can be made using an index card for each item or in a list on paper or in your computer. Whatever method of compiling the information you use, always keep a hard copy in a safe place somewhere other than your home. Having an accession list and photographs of your items can be helpful in recovering stolen goods, filing insurance claims, and sharing information, images, or documents with others without jeopardizing the originals.

A basic accession list can be as simple as listing the items either in groups or individually. Include what it is, where it came from, and where it’s located in your home (see Appendix 1: Accession List Information). Additional information might include condition notes, value, if it’s insured, historic significance, supporting research, conservation reports, and any other information that may relate to the artifact. Photographs can be slides, prints, or digital files.

The decision to display, store, or continue to use an artifact should in part be based on the condition and structural stability of the object. If an item is stable and in good condition, you can prepare it at home for display or storage. However, if an item is damaged or fragile, it may be necessary to call a professional (see Appendix 2: How to Find and Choose a Conservation Professional). Choose the right professional for your artifacts by considering the type of items, their overall condition, and the intended use of the objects. Storage, use, display, or just ignoring things all have consequences.