Save your Inaugural Treasures!

When you make history, make it last!

A scrapbook is a good way to organize a variety of materials you want to save. Many stores now offer materials to enhance the presentation and preservation of family photographs and souvenirs. Choose preservation-quality materials, such as acid-free paper for pages and PVC-free plastics for sleeves and pocket pages.

Some other tips from conservation pros for saving your albums, photos, and ephemera:

Select a scrapbook that allows room to expand: a three-ring binder or hinged model with a strap.
Use sturdy white or off-white archival, acid-free paper, and attach items with stable plastic or acid-free paper corners.
Or, insert souvenirs and photos in safe plastic page protectors made from Mylar, polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene.
Handle photographs and papers only by the edges to protect your treasures.
Be sure that photos are labeled on the back or on album pages. Use a soft (No. 2) pencil or photo-marking pen and write lightly.
Photocopy newspaper clippings or other acidic items onto acid free paper and use the copies in the album.
Original photographs, postcards, inaugural tickets, or other memorabilia can lose their value when cut into decorative shapes. Save these in acid-free envelopes, and use copies in a scrapbook.
Take care when scanning photos or documents.

These tips are based on information in Heritage Preservation’s book, Caring for Your Family Treasures (Abrams, New York 2000).

The Guide to Online Resources, developed by Heritage Preservation in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, contains links to the most trusted collections care resources on the Web. Use it to find answers to common conservation questions.

For professional advice on caring for specific types of materials, such as books, photographs, textiles, and metal objects, click here.
For professional advice on caring for the kinds of collections found in most homes, click here.