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What is the best way to store photos ?

  • 1.  What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-19-2024 13:17
    The Rutland Historical Society recieved a bunch of photos. I have always been taught that the best way to preserve photos is put them in plastic sleeves. I wonder if this is true or if there is a better way ?

    Ron Hemenway

    Rutland Historical Society


  • 2.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-19-2024 16:37

    Dear Mr. Hemenway,

    I am not a specialist in the field, but if it is necessary I can put you in contact with a photograph and paper conservator that will advise you for the best. 

    As I know, can be a possibility to store them with Japanese paper and cardboard that are acid free. It is also necessary to be careful with the storage temperature and humidity ranges. The ranges are variable by the kind of materials and conditions of the photos. 

    Please let me know if you need a more specialised advice. 

    Best,



    ------------------------------
    [Arianna] [Buffagni] [Connecting to Collection Care Monitor]
    [Conservator specialized in Easel Painting, Wooden Painting and Artifacts, and Contemporary materials]
    [Italy]
    Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent
    Quattro Castella
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-19-2024 18:01
    Arianna,

    I could use a little bit more info on this subject. We have at least one entire filing cabbinet full of photos. I emailed Gary Albright on this subject. I told him that I had put some of the photos in plastic sleeves, but due to the narrowness of the filing cabinet drawers the photos will not fit. I asked him if it was ok to trim the sleeves. He said it was ok to do so. I have begun trimming the plastic sleeves, but I am wondering iff there is better and possibly cheeper way to preserve these photos.

    Ron Hemenway



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-19-2024 18:04

    Hi Ron-

    Here are some C2C Care programs that might answer some of your questions: 

    https://connectingtocollections.org/basics-of-collection-photography/

    https://connectingtocollections.org/archivephotograph/

    https://connectingtocollections.org/preservation-photographs/



    ------------------------------
    --------------------------------------
    Robin Bauer Kilgo (she/her/hers)
    Connecting to Collections Care Coordinator, FAIC
    c2cc@culturalheritage.org
    National Heritage Responders WG Co-Chair
    Contract Registrar/Consultant
    rbkilgo@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-20-2024 14:27
    Hi Ron,

    The National Park Service has several Conservograms about photograph storage online.  Here's the link to the one focused on photograph storage: Conserve O Gram Volume 14 Issue 4: Caring of Photographs - General Guidelines
    and here's the link to the whole selection of Conservograms: NPS Conserve O Grams - Museums & Collections (U.S. National Park Service).  The Canadian Conservation Institute also has good information at Care of objects and collections - Canada.ca.

    You can use unbuffered acid-free paper materials for print storage. Probably the cheapest option is acid-free unbuffered folders from a museum/archives supply house like Gaylord Brothers or University Products. I put a protective sheet of photo-textile interleaving paper over the print surface to protect it from scratches.  The photo conservator that did a collection condition survey for us a few years ago recommended against plastic sleeves because they can trap moisture.  The environmental conditions of your storage area also matter a lot and will depend on whether you are working with prints or film-based materials (negatives and slides). The NPS and CCI publications have recommendations for all material types. 


    Samantha Richert
    Museum Curator
    North Cascades NPS Complex
    7280 Ranger Station Road
    Marblemount, WA 98267
    360-854-7343
     preferred pronouns: she/her/hers



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-21-2024 16:47
    Robin,

    Thank you for these tips and leads. I appreciate this info.

    Ron 



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-20-2024 08:51

    Gaylord has an excellent Guide to Collections Care

    https://info.gaylord.com/resources/explore-our-guide-to-collections-care



    ------------------------------
    Sharon Corey
    Museum Manager
    Georgetown County Museum
    Georgetown, South Carolina
    843-545-7020
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-20-2024 22:01
    Sharon,

    Thank you for the link to the guide. 

    Ron




    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-21-2024 16:47
    Thank you all for the information on how best to preserve these photos.

    Ron Hemenway
    Rutland Historrical society



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: What is the best way to store photos ?

    Posted 12-20-2024 14:27
    At YCHS we place our photos in acid free file folders between acid free tissue paper in clamshell boxes. Framed photos are wrapped in tissue paper and secured with acid free cotton tape then either place upright in a record box or in bin storage. 
    We have a process for unrolling photos but until we get to them we place them in a shallow box. With a label gently tied around it. 

    Megan Hansen 
    Curator of Collections/Researcher 
    Yankton County Historical Society 
    Mead Museum
    82 Mickelson Dr.
    Yankton, SD 57078
    (605) 665-3898 ex. 205



    Original Message


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