Saving Your Treasures: Resources
RESOURCES
The following are links to conservation organizations and their websites as well as to specific topics to help you with your conservation needs.
Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center
CONSERVATION GENERAL INFO & SITES
Printable Files
- Conservation-Related Professionals
- Glossary of Conservation Terms
- Heritage Health Index
- How do Conservators Choose an Adhesive?
- Preservation Pointers
- What is a Conservator?
- Why Not Try to Fix it Yourself?
- When You Come to the Ford Center
Websites
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC)
- AATA (Abstracts of International Conservation Literature) Online
- Basic Guidelines for the Care of Special Collections, AIC
- Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies
- Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
- Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
- Caring for . .., Conservation Register
- Choosing and Working with a Conservator, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- reCollections: Caring for Collections Across Australia
- Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, AIC
- Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA)
- Conservation DistList Archives
- Conservation Online (CoOL)
- Conservation Register
- Conservation Wise Guide, Alaska State Museums
- The Getty Conservation Center
- Heritage Health Index Results
- Heritage Preservation
- How to Choose a Conservator, AIC
- Institute of Conservation (ICON), United Kingdom
- International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)
- Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA)
- The Library of Congress (LOC)
- National Parks Service (NPS)
- National Parks Service Conserv-O-Grams
- Preserv'Art Database, Centre de Conservation du Quebec
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC)
- Regional Alliance for Preservation (RAP)
- Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
- World Heritage Center (WHC)
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT
Printable Files
- Appraiser Information
- Conservation Assessment Program
- Conservation Assessment Handbook
- Conservation Suppliers List
- Documenting Museum Collections, NPS Museum Handbook Chapter 1
- Documenting Your Family Heirlooms
- Documenting Your Family History, West Virginia University Extension Services
- Identifying the Real Thing, NPS
- Inventory & Other Special Instruction, NPS Museum Handbook Chapter 4
- Mechanical Reproduction or Artist's Original Work?
Websites
- American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
- American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
- American Society of Appraisers
- Appraisers Association of America
- Artifact Appraisal, Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
- Bonhams
- Christie’s
- How Stuff Works
- Illinois Heritage Association (IHA)
- Insurance Information Institute
- International Society of Appraisers
- Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)
- Mystery Objects, Ironbridge Gorge Museum
- Phillips de Pury & Company
- Procedure for Identifying Whatsits, Mid-West Tool Collectors Association
- Sotheby’s
- Skinner
- What is it? Unusual tools and other objects
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Printable Files
- Are You Prepared? A Guide to Emergency Planning, Nebraska State Historical Society
- Be Prepared: Develop an Emergency Operations Pla, NPS
- Disaster Preparedness & Recovery for Works of Art on Paper, Bishop Museum
Websites
- Conservation Online (CoOL) Sample Disaster Plans
- dPlan, The Online Disaster-Planning Tool
- Heritage Preservation
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Printable Files
- Air Pollution, Scottish Museums Council
- Biodeterioration in Museum Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner, NPS
- Conservation and Lighting, Scottish Museums Council
- Dusting and Cleaning Collections & Heirlooms
- Dusting Wooden Object, NPS
- Environmental Monitoring Equipment
- Getting a Handle on the Museum Environment, Minnesota Historical Society
- Lighting and Illumination Recommendations
- Pinhole Corrosion in Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems
- Recommended Environmental Conditions
- Removing Dust from Ceramic and Glass Objects, NPS
- Stability of Natural History Specimens, Smithsonian Museums Conservation Institute
- Using A Psychrometer to Measure Relative Humidity, NPS
Websites
- Anoxic Microenvironments: A Simple Guide, San Diego Natural History Museum
- Conservation and Lighting, Scottish Museums Council
- Degradation in Weighted & Unweighted Historic Silks: Conclusion, JAIC Online
- Degradation in Weighted & Unweighted Historic Silks: Full Text, JAIC Online
- Deteriorating Negatives: A Health Hazard in Collection Management, Arizona State Museum
- Fire at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Journal of the American Institute for Conservation
- Guidelines for Pollutant Concentrations in Museums, CCI
- Materials and their Interaction with Museum Objects, Victoria and Albert Museum
- Monitoring Temperature and Relative Humidity, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Protection from Light Damage, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Temperature and Humidity, Scottish Museums Council
- Temperature, Relative Humidity, Light, & Air Quality, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Tools for Conservation Environmental Monitoring, CCI
EXHIBITING, MOUNTING, & FRAMING
Printable Files
- Advice for Framing Art, Documents, Letters, Photographs, & Other Paper Items, Minnesota Historical Society
- Caring for Frames and Framed Objects
- Exhibits & Storage Handbook, Minnesota Historical Society
- Having Your Works of Art Matted & Framed, Bishop Museum
- Housings for Objects
- Making a Four-Flap Enclosure
- Matting and Framing
- Polyester Film Book Supports, NPS
- Ring Supports for Pottery & Round-Based Objects, NPS
- Slant Boards for Quilts
Websites
- Guide to Preservation Matting and Framing, Library of Congress
- How to Do Your Own Matting and Hinging, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Matting and Framing for Art and Artifacts on Paper, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Matting and Framing Works of Art on Paper, AIC
- Protecting Paper and Book Collections During Exhibition, Northeast Document Conservation Center
MATERIALS, STORING, & HANDLING
Printable Files
- Advice for Framing Art, Documents, Letters, Photographs, & Other Paper Items, Minnesota Historical Society
- Buffered and Unbuffered Storage Materials, NPS
- Effects of Storage & Display Materials on Museum Objects, Scottish Museums
- Exhibits and Storage Handbook, Minnesota Historical Society
- Handling, Packing, and Shipping, NPS Museum Handbook, Chapter 6
- Object Handling Procedures
- Safe Plastics & Fabrics for Exhibit & Storage, NPS
- A Simple Storage Mat for Textile Fragments, NPS
- Storage Mounts for Feather Headdresses & Softsided Hats & Caps, NPS
- Storage and Exhibit Materials Guidelines
- Storage Techniques for Hanging Garments: Padded Hangers, NPS
- Time Capsules & Preservation
Websites
- Care, Handling, & Storage of Books, Library of Congress
- Care, Handling, & Storage of Photographs, Library of Congress
- CCI Notes for Conservators
- The Effects of Materials Used in Storage and Display, Museums Australia Victoria
- Guidelines for Selecting Materials for Exhibit, Storage, & Transportation, CCI
- Materials and their Interaction with Museum Objects, Victoria & Albert Museum
- Moving Glass Plate Negatives, NARA
- Storage Enclosures for Books and Artifacts on Paper, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Storage Enclosures for Photographic Materials, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Storage Methods and Handling Practices, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Storage Methods for Taxidermy Specimens, Western Association for Art Conservation
- Storage Supports for Basket Collections, NPS
- Storing Archival Paper-Based Materials, NPS
MUSEUMS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Websites
- Allied Special Products (fine arts shipper)
- American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
- American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
- American Library Association (ALA)
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
- ARTEX Fine Art Services (fine arts shipper)
- Association for Living History Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM)
- Association of Midwest Museums
- Association for Preservation Technology International (APT)
- Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI): Caring for Objects
- Canadian Museums Association (CAM)
- Fine Art Enterprises, Inc. (fine arts shipper)
- Illinois Heritage Association (IHA)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- International Council of Museums (ICOM)
- Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM)
- Midwest Open Air Museums Coordinating Council (MOMCC)
- Mountain-Plains Museum Association
- Museums Association (UK)
- Museums Australia
- National Association for Museum Exhibition
- National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT)
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
- Nebraska Museums Association
- New England Museum Association (NEMA)
- Scottish Museums Council
- Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC)
- U.S. Art (fine arts shipper)
- Western Museums Association (WAM)
PEST MANAGEMENT
Printable Files
Websites
- Integrated Pest Management, Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Museum Pests.net
- Pest Management, Conservation OnLine (CoOL)
ART, BOOKS, PAPER, & PHOTOGRAPHS
Printable Files
- Advice for Framing Art, Documents, Letters, Photographs, & Other Paper Items, Minnesota Historical Society
- Bibles, Declarations of Independence, Newspapers, & Signed Books
- Care of Nitrate and Acetate Films
- Caring for Frames and Framed Objects
- Caring for Your Photographs
- Cleaning Paper-Based Objects
- Cleaning Photographic Materials
- Digitization Links
- Family Papers & Photos FAQs
- Foxing (Fox Marks on Paper)
- Newspaper Clippings
- Purchasing Digital Imaging Workstation Tip Sheet
- Sample Handbook: Digital Imaging Project Documentation
- Sample Image Production Record Form
- Useful Archives Materials Websites
Websites
- Amigos Library Services
- Balboa Art Conservation Center (BACC)
- Basic Care of Books, CCI
- The Book Arts Web
- The Book and Paper Group (A specialty group of AIC)
- Care of Black-and-White Photographic Prints, CCI
- Caring for Your Photographs, AIC
- Caring for Photographs - General Guidelines, NPS
- The Conservation Center
- Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR)
- Curatorial Care of Easel Paintings, NPS
- Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA)
- Library of Congress Preservation Directorate
- Lunder Conservation Studio
- LYRASIS, Advancing Libraries Together
- Matting and Framing Works of Art on Paper, AIC
- Midwest Art Conservation Center
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF)
- Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC)
- Permanence of Artists' Materials - Works of Art on Paper, CCI
- Photographic Media Group (A specialty group of AIC)
- Preserv'Art Database, Centre de Conservation du Quebec
- Resources for Book Care and Repair, TIppecanoe County Public Library
- Paul Messier, Conservation of Photographs and Works on Paper
- Preserving and Protecting Photographs, American Museum of Photography
- Society of American Archivists (SAA)
- University of Iowa Center for the Book
- Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC)
- Williamstown Art Conservation Center
- Use & Handling of Rare Books, NPS
INORGANIC MATERIALS
Printable Files
- The Care of Silver, Bishop Museum
- Caring for Ceramics and Glass
- Caring for Ceramic & Glass Objects, AIC
- Caring for Copper Alloys
- Caring for Firearms
- Caring for Iron Alloys
- Caring for Outdoor Sculpture
- Caring for Silver Objects
- Conserving Firearms, Part 1, Minnesota Historical Society
- Conserving Firearms, Part 2, Minnesota Historical Society
- Notes on Treating Tools
- Removing Dust from Ceramic and Glass Objects, NPS
- Repair of Ceramics by Conservators
Websites
- Care & Conservation of Carved Stone, ICON
- Care & Conservation of Ceramic & Glass, ICON
- Care & Conservation of Fashion Accessories, ICON
- Care of Ceramics & Glass, CSI
- Care of Objects Made of Zinc, CCI
- Caring for Silver and Copper Alloy Objects, NPS
- Preservation of Low-Fired Ceramic Objects, NPS
- Recognizing Metals & their Corrosion Products, CCI
- Save Outdoor Sculpture!
- Silver - Care and Tarnish Removal, CCI
MAGNETIC MEDIA, FILM, and SOUND RECORDINGS
Printable Files
Websites
- Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA)
- Cylinder, Disc, and Tape Care in a Nutshell, Library of Congress
- Storage and Handling of Processed Nitrate Film, Kodak
ORGANIC MATERIALS
Printable Files
- The Care of Feathers, Bishop Museum
- Caring for Your Christening Gown
- Caring for Your Furniture
- Caring for Your Wedding Dress
- Cleaning Organic Materials
- Dusting Wooden Object, NPS
- Guidelines for Dry Cleaning Historic Textiles
- Folding Textiles
- Polymers Glossary
- Rolling Textiles
- Safe Plastics & Fabrics for Exhibit & Storage, NPS
- Slant Boards for Quilts
- Storage Mounts for Feather Headdresses & Softsided Hats & Caps, NPS
- Storage Techniques for Hanging Garments: Padded Hangers, NPS
Websites
- Antique & Fine Furniture, The Conservation Center
- Care & Cleaning of Unfinished Wood, CCI
- Care & Conservation of Clocks, ICON
- Care & Conservation of Ethnographic Objects, ICON
- Care & Conservation of Plastic Materials, ICON
- Care and Identification of Objects Made from Plastic, NPS
- Care of Furniture Finishes, CCI
- Caring for Textiles, AIC
- Caring for Your Furniture, AIC
- Causes, Detection, and Prevention of Mold & Mildew on Textiles, NPS
- Cleaning Wood Furniture, NPS
- Doll Conservation, Minnesota Historical Society
- Emergency Treatment for Water-Soaked Furniture and Wooden Objects, NPS
- General Effects of Ageing on Textiles, Journal of the American Institute for Conservation
- How to Care for Ivory, Horn, Bone, & Antler, CCI
- How to Care for Textiles, CCI
- Handling & Care of Dry Bird & Mammal Specimens, NPS
- Identification & Care of Amber, NPS
- Journal of the American Institute for Conservation
- Museum Textile Services
- Preservation of Aboriginal Material Culture, CCI
- Protecting Wood with Preservatives and Water Repellants, NPS
- Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
- Stillwater Textile Conservation Studio
- Textiles, The Conservation Center
- Textiles Conservation Lab at the Minnesota Historical Society
- Textile Conservation Services (Private conservator)
- Textile Conservation Services (TCS)