Strategies for Safeguarding Family Heritage: Archiving Documents and Photos
In the quest to preserve family memories, it's essential to display and store photographs and papers carefully to prevent fading, damage, and degradation from light exposure. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you do just that.
Firstly, consider the materials you use for framing and matting. Acid-free, chemically neutral mats and backing boards are ideal, as they help prevent yellowing and chemical damage over time. For colour photos, unbuffered museum-quality boards are recommended to avoid alkaline damage. Professional framers often use museum-grade matting and archival mounting techniques to preserve valuable memorabilia.
Secondly, the glazing you choose plays a crucial role. UV-filtering glazing, such as UV-protective glass or acrylic, is essential to block harmful ultraviolet rays that cause fading and pigment degradation. High-grade UV acrylic glazing or plexiglass is recommended for high-value items. This glazing also protects the item from dust, pollutants, and abrasion.
Thirdly, managing light exposure is key. Avoid displaying photographs and papers in direct sunlight or under interior fluorescent lights, both of which accelerate fading. Ideally, display items in areas with controlled, low-intensity lighting, or use window films and curtains that filter UV radiation to reduce exposure. If exposure to harsher light sources is unavoidable, rotate displayed items regularly to limit continuous light exposure.
Lastly, maintaining a stable indoor environment is vital. Keep the temperature moderate (about 18–21 °C) and relative humidity around 50%, minimising fluctuations that can degrade paper and photos. Store non-displayed items in dark, archival storage boxes or containers, such as acid-free portfolios or Solander boxes.
Additional preservation steps include digitizing photographs to preserve their content independently of the physical originals.
By combining these methods—acid-free matting and backing, UV-filtering glazing, careful lighting management, and controlled environmental conditions—you can significantly extend the life of your family papers and photographs and keep them looking their best for generations.
Remember, proper storage of original items in a box is recommended to prevent light damage. Use a window mat or spacers to prevent the glass or acrylic from touching the original. Overlapping drawings can create areas of protection against light damage.
Avoid using acrylic for pastels and other powdery or flaking media due to static electricity generation. If the item will be displayed in a room with sunlight or fluorescent lighting, select glazing with ultraviolet filtering. Limit the time and intensity of light exposure by using lower intensity lights, turning lights off when not needed, and blocking sunlight with shades.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your family's precious memories are preserved for generations to come.
[1] The National Archives (UK), "Caring for your family archives," accessed 2023-03-20. [2] The Getty Conservation Institute, "Caring for Your Collection: Photographs," accessed 2023-03-20. [3] The National Archives (USA), "Preservation: Photographs," accessed 2023-03-20. [4] The British Library, "Caring for Your Collections: Photographs," accessed 2023-03-20.
Incorporating these suggestions into your home-and-garden setup, you may consider investing in archival storage boxes for your photos and papers, ensuring a safe and protected lifestyle for your family's treasured memories. Additionally, when decorating your living space with family memorabilia, opt for UV-filtering glazing for your frames to help maintain their quality and integrity over time.
