Moving a Collection – Part Two

The Curatorial & Corporate Services Centre is currently moving the Small Artifacts and Documents Collection. Learn more about the project here. The first step has been to conduct an inventory of the Collection. Because the inventory process requires Collections staff to physically observe each artifact, it is an excellent time for them to assess and improve how the artifacts are housed in the storage space. Some of the problems that are being monitored for include overcrowding of artifacts, poor artifact support and issues with storage materials.

Overcrowding

Overcrowding of artifacts can cause damage through a variety of ways. The greatest concern with documents is folding and tearing of the paper caused by improper handling of the artifacts. It is easier to handle artifacts safely when they can be approached a few at a time. Damage can also occur if a storage box is too full, causing documents to become misshapen.

Incorrect Support

Providing proper support to artifacts in storage helps protect them from damage of the most rampant physical force around, gravity. While we don’t notice the damage gravity can cause in our daily life, when objects are in storage for long periods of time the damage becomes evident. It is important not to allow materials to slump over in a half empty box or rest on a support that is smaller than the artifact.

This package of envelopes has been poorly supported, which has resulted in the distortion of the paper. WDM-1978-S-2541. Click to enlarge

This box may only be partially filled, but this support keeps all the documents straight providing excellent support. Click to enlarge.

Storage Materials

Because museums look to preserve artifacts and the stories behind them for future generations, they are particular about the materials utilized to store artifacts in. Conservators look to make sure storage materials will not cause damage to artifacts. For document storage, conservators recommend using paper-based storage materials, which are acid-free and lignin-free. Paper is naturally acidic and ensuring the products used to store documents are acid-free ensures storage materials are not damaging the artifacts. For highly acidic paper products, such as newspaper, conservators recommend the use of buffered products. Buffered storage materials contain an alkaline (basic) reserve, which helps to neutralize the acids that may leach from the document and result in damage to the artifacts.

Each artifact is different, which requires staff to consider a variety of options when implementing changes to how they are housed. While such changes may seem small, they make a big impact on the long-term preservation of the museum’s artifacts.

Stay tuned for Part 3 where we will look at creating the correct environment to slow the speed of deterioration.

 

By: Jill Baron, Curatorial Assistant