Do's & Don'ts

A guide to handling and preserving things of historical value.

Never try to do repairs or conservation work yourself. Get an expert opinion first. Click here for expert contact information.

Do's

Have a special place for sorting old documents. Wear cotton gloves when handing old materials. Photocopy all newspapers, articles or cuttings and discard originals. Always use acid-free archival material for handling and storage. Always store materials in a cool location, out of direct sunlight and/or artificial light. Use a soft pencil, such as a 2B, to date and identify on the reverse of the historic document. Use a soft water color paint brush to dust off all surface material. Always keep materials as flat as possible, some large pieces can be stored in tubes.

Don'ts

Don't mix old historical items and photocopies. Also avoid placing them near archival materials. Never use bare hands when sorting and avoid handling too much. Never forget to date and identify. Don't throw out any historical item that has no value to you. Check with a local archive for the item to be assessed for community value. Don't store materials in the attic or cellar. Drastic temperature changes and dampness will destroy old items. Never use ink to date and identify. Don't use metal staples or paper clips. Never fold documents.