Conservation & Preservation of Materials
Conservation & Preservation of Materials
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There are a vast number of different types of materials which can be found in archives, museums, historical centers, libraries, and other cultural institutions. This resource page will cover many of the common types of materials which will need some preservation.
Preservation, Conservation, and Restoration
Preservation, Conservation, and Restoration
"Three Photos Separated on Table.” Photograph. Syracuse University Library. https://library.syracuse.edu/blog/Preserving-Your-Heritage-How-to-Care-for-the-Family-Album/.
Preservation
Preservation
According to the SAA Dictionary of Archives Terminology, preservation is "the professional discipline of protecting materials by minimizing chemical and physical deterioration and damage to minimize the loss of information and to extend the life of cultural property," or "the act of keeping from harm, injury, decay, or destruction, especially through noninvasive treatment."
Conservation
Conservation
The Museum of Ontario Archaeology explain conservation rather simply, "conservation involves direct, hands-on intervention to stabilize and restore objects, often through invasive techniques."
Smithsonian Institution Archives. Five Conservators at Work in a Lab. Photograph. https://siarchives.si.edu/what-we-do/preservation/conservation.
“Wagon 99,” Wyoming State Museum. Photograph. Wyoming State Museum, accessed October 2, 2025. https://wyomuseum.wyo.gov/index.php/current-exhibits-list/77-wagon-99.
Restoration
Restoration
According to the SAA Dictionary of Archives Terminology, restoration is "the process of rehabilitating an item to return it as nearly as possible to its original condition."
For example, the Wyoming State Museum put in the time and effort to return a Yellowstone National Park touring wagon to its original form. This would be an example of restoration.
Conservation Guides
Conservation Guides
Museum Handbook by the National Parks Service (NPS)
Resources for Collection Care by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
Conservation for Cultural Heritage Collections: Museums, Libraries and Archives: Introduction by Yale Libraries
reCollections by the Heritage Collections Council, the Ministry for the Arts, Attorney-General’s Department, Australia.
Materials (Alphabetically)
Materials (Alphabetically)
Animal Pelts & Hides
Animal Pelts & Hides
Recommended Temp: ≤75°
Recommended RH: 45-55
Resources
Resources
“Care of Rawhide and Semi-tanned Leather” by the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
“Care of Mounted Specimens and Pelts” by CCI
“How to Handle & Store Natural History Artifacts” by Gaylord Archival
Videos & Webinars
Videos & Webinars
“Hands On! Practical Conservation for the Collections Professional Care and Cleaning of Taxidermy” Webinar by the Registrars Committee Western Region
Artwork & Paintings
Artwork & Paintings
All paintings require
Recommended Temp: 59°-77°
Recommended RH: 40%-60%
Resources
Resources
Appendix L: Curatorial Care of Easel Paintings - Museum Handbook, Part I: Museum Collections by NPS
Caring for Your Paintings - Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
Caring for Paintings - CCI
How to Care for Your Collections - Smithsonian American Art Museum
Paintings in Art Conservation and Restoration - Britannica
Videos & Webinars
Videos & Webinars
Hands On! Practical Conservation for the Collections Professional Care and Cleaning of Taxidermy - the Registrars Committee Western Region
Books
Books
Recommended Temp: 65°-70°, though some materials can be frozen for preservation
Recommended RH: 30%-50%
Resources
Resources
Preserving Books - Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, National Archives
Preventative Care of Book Collections - Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts
Storage and Handling for Books and Artifacts on Paper - NEDCC Leaflet
Disinfecting Books and Other Collections - NEDCC Leaflet
Emergency Care Resources
Emergency Care Resources
Emergency Salvage of Wet Books and Records - NEDCC Leaflet
Emergency Salvage of Wet Photographs - NEDCC Leaflet
Emergency Salvage of Moldy Books and Paper - NEDCC Leaflet
Freezing and Drying Wet Books and Records - NEDCC Leaflet
Videos & Webinars
Videos & Webinars
Archival Preservation Series: Books - Backlog
Cleaning and Preserving Old Books from Our Library - Natural History Museum
Documents
Documents
Recommended Temp: 60°-70°, though some materials can be frozen for preservation
Recommended RH: 30%-50%
Feathers
Feathers
Recommended Temp: ≤75°
Recommended RH: 35%-55%
General Care
General Care
Resources
Resources
“Caring for feathers, quills, horn and other keratinous materials” by Carole Dignard and Janet Mason at CCI
“Feathers and Fur” by the American Museum of Natural History
Also refer to their article: “Research: Care and Conservation.”
“The Care of Feathers” by the Bishop Museum
“Storage Mounts for Feathered Headdresses and Soft-Sided Hats and Caps” Conserve-O-Gram from the NPS
Freezing Feathers Resources
Freezing Feathers Resources
“Freezing Preservation for Textile Conservation” by Froilabo
Videos & Webinars
Videos & Webinars
“Conserving and Cleaning Feathers [Tutorial]” Video by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
Also refer to their video on “Conserving and Cleaning Feathers: A Hands-on Introduction.”
Leather & Saddles
Leather & Saddles
Recommended Temp: 50°-75°
Recommended RH: 40%-60%
General Care
General Care
Resources
Resources
“Caring for feathers, quills, horn and other keratinous materials” by Carole Dignard and Janet Mason at CCI
“Feathers and Fur” by the American Museum of Natural History
Also refer to their article: “Research: Care and Conservation.”
“The Care of Feathers” by the Bishop Museum
“Storage Mounts for Feathered Headdresses and Soft-Sided Hats and Caps” Conserve-O-Gram from the NPS
Freezing Feathers Resources
Freezing Feathers Resources
“Freezing Preservation for Textile Conservation” by Froilabo
Videos & Webinars
Videos & Webinars
“Conserving and Cleaning Feathers [Tutorial]” Video by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
Also refer to their video on “Conserving and Cleaning Feathers: A Hands-on Introduction.”
Metals
Metals
Recommended Temp: 60°-70°
Recommended RH: ≤50%
General Care
General Care
Resources
Resources
“Caring for feathers, quills, horn and other keratinous materials” by Carole Dignard and Janet Mason at CCI
“Feathers and Fur” by the American Museum of Natural History
Also refer to their article: “Research: Care and Conservation.”
“The Care of Feathers” by the Bishop Museum
“Storage Mounts for Feathered Headdresses and Soft-Sided Hats and Caps” Conserve-O-Gram from the NPS
Freezing Feathers Resources
Freezing Feathers Resources
“Freezing Preservation for Textile Conservation” by Froilabo
Videos & Webinars
Videos & Webinars
“Conserving and Cleaning Feathers [Tutorial]” Video by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
Also refer to their video on “Conserving and Cleaning Feathers: A Hands-on Introduction.”
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