Books and Paper in Historic Houses

This page covers preservation and conservation needs specific to book and paper collections in historic house museums. The content on this page is directed toward all caretakers of historic house collections including housekeepers, technicians, conservators, archivists, collection managers, and curators.
Wiki Compilers: Michelle C. Smith
Wiki Contributors: Luisa Casella, Sue Donovan, Perrine LeSaux
==Introduction==
A wide range of paper-based collections may be found in historic house museums including books, framed and unframed works of art on paper, documents, scrapbooks, albums, photographs, wallpaper, ephemera, globes, screens, shades, paperboard boxes, paper labels and linings adhered to other objects, and more. 
Why is special attention needed for collections in historic houses? The National Trust Manual of Housekeeping addresses this question in its introduction: 
:"...readers might question the need for a Manual specifically on the care of collections in historic houses, when there are books on the care of collections in museums. The simple answer is that, unlike museums, collections in historic houses are on 'open' display. This creates different challenges, because objects on open display are more vulnerable to damage and deterioration than those protected by museum display cases. In addition, many objects in historic houses, such as clocks and carpets, are still in use. What is more, many collections are on display in the houses for which they were originally made. So the objects cannot be considered on their own, but must be treated as part of a much larger, and often more significant, whole. Such awareness of context derives from the essential distinction between museums and historic houses, which is that collections include not only historic objects but also the whole interior in which objects are displayed."The National Trust Manual of Housekeeping: The Care of Collections in Historic Houses Open to the Public. (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008), 3.
Book collections in historic house libraries also face different challenges than most research libraries; for example, books are often on permanent display with their spines visible and cannot be rearranged, housing damaged books may not be possible, and reading rooms may not be available for researchers. A historic house museum may also be staged for a particular period of interpretation, and collection items that don't fit this period may need to be stored. Historic reproductions (or facsimiles) may be produced to protect vulnerable originals from the dangers of permanent display, and props may be introduced to fill gaps in the collection and assist in interpretation; these items can be expensive to produce and may also require special care to preserve.
This page is organized so that general topics that impact all paper-based collections in historic houses are discussed first; then, conservation needs specific to works on paper, books, and other paper-based materials are discussed in subsequent sections.
==General Considerations==
===Housekeeping===
:Main article: Dust and Housekeeping
Because each historic house is unique, housekeeping will likely be different in each situation, but the goal should be to maintain as dust-free and debris-free an environment as possible. Dust that accumulates onto historical objects might seem innocuous, but for paper-based items it can have severe consequences. Dust changes the surface pH of paper, can attract pests, and can lodge in porous surfaces, causing discoloration and damage. In an historic house, preventive measures against dust, as opposed to active dusting, can go a long way towards extending the lifetime of the items within. Over-dusting and cleaning should be avoided, as there are risks associated with overcleaning as well, such as abrasions and damage from cleaning products. Preventive care such as regular walkthroughs, filtration systems on HVAC, clean mats (adhesive mats placed on the floor to trap dust and other particulates tracked in on visitors' shoes), and designated areas for visitors coats and umbrellas can cut down on the amount of dust falling on museum objects. Indeed, regular walkthroughs of the space are an essential aspect of housekeeping, as they allow caretakers to observe any changes to the condition of the building and the objects within and communicate any concerns to the team. 
===Agents of deterioration===
:Main article: Ten Agents of Deterioration
The ten agents of deterioration recognized by cultural heritage preservation professionals include physical forces; thieves, vandals, and displacers; fire; water; pests; pollutants; light; incorrect temperature; incorrect relative humidity; and custodial neglect and dissociation.Charlie Costain, "Framework for Preservation of Museum Collections," Canadian Conservation Institute Newsletter no. 14 (1994): 1-4.Robert R. Waller, "Risk Management Applied to Preventive Conservation" in Storage of Natural History Collections: A Preventive Conservation Approach, ed. Carolyn L. Rose, Catharine A. Hawks, and Hugh H. Genoways (Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, 1995), 21-27. A general understanding of how these agents impact books and paper-based collections will help caretakers anticipate, prevent, and respond to the problems they cause.
===Environmental monitoring===
:Main article: Environmental Monitoring
:See also: Integrated Pest Management
Environmental monitoring in a historic house museum will need to be tailored to the unique situation of the location. Small devices that record temperature and relative humidity can be placed in different areas of the building, with the data being downloaded either via USB or WiFi. It might not be possible to enact changes in either the temperature or relative humidity, but collecting the data is useful to obtain an understanding of how the building acts as an envelope for the objects within. Putting up cardboard tents with sticky traps (also known as blunder traps) to monitor insect activity is one of the best ways to track whether there is a pest infestation that needs to be dealt with. Small steps such as these can provide caretakers of historic houses with the tools they need to advocate for environmental controls, monitor trends, and stop infestations before they become devastations.
===Storage and housing===
:Main articles: Housings and Choosing Materials for Storage, Exhibition & Transport
Even with many collection items on permanent display, collection storage is an important consideration for historic house museums. There may be collections that do not fit the period of interpretation that must be stored, or if a reproduction has been created of a collection item, the original will need to be stored. As previously mentioned, historic house museums often struggle with maintaining stable temperature and humidity. Storage cases and proper housings can help mitigate fluctuations. Storage environments should be monitored with regular "walk-throughs" to visually assess for any leaks or other disturbances, in addition to the passive monitoring described in the previous section.
For paper-based items on permanent display, consider acquiring exhibit cases for the most important or valuable items. These cases can be custom-built and can be equipped with desiccants and environmental data loggers. Grants can help support the cost. For historic house libraries on display, see the Book Housing section below for specialized housing options that avoid disrupting the viewing experience.
===Documentation===
:Main articles: Documentation of Paper and Documentation of Books
Documenting the condition and care of of historic house collections is vital to their long-term preservation. These types of records may include logs of housekeeping activities; environmental and pest monitoring data; incident reports related to security or building issues, disasters, and emergencies; collection surveys or assessments conducted by consultants or interns; and item-level documentation created by conservators including condition reports, treatment proposals, and treatment reports. These records may be text documents, spreadsheets, images, or other formats. Any paper-based records should be scanned (but retained, if possible), and digital files should be named, organized, and stored following archival best practices. Maintaining these records over time helps caretakers identify and address recurring problems, is very useful when applying for funding, and will also help preserve institutional memory as staff members retire.
===Health and safety===
:Main article: :Category:Health & Safety
:See also: Hazardous Collections and Historic House Hazards Project
Historic house settings can present many health hazards including mold, heavy metals (such as lead or arsenic), and pest-related illness (such as hantavirus from rodents). Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn whenever health hazards are encountered. Depending on the scale of the hazard, hiring an outside professional such as a conservator, property restoration company, or Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist may be necessary.
====Mold====
:Main articles: Mold and :Category:Mold/Fungi
Cellulose is a prime food source for mold, making this hazard a particular concern for caretakers of book and paper collections. Mold growth on collections may result from a water event and/or from prolonged instances of incorrect relative humidity levels in collection spaces. In addition to being harmful to collections, mold presents major health and safety concerns for humans. Always wear appropriate PPE (mask, gloves, apron, and eye protection, as needed) in any situation where you might encounter mold; you cannot predict how you will react.
====Heavy Metals====
Arsenic is found in many historic houses in gameheads and other taxidermy where it is used as a pesticide, but it may also be present as a toxic pigment in green book-covering materials, particularly in Victorian-era publisher's bindings. For more information, see University of Delaware's Poison Book Project. Lead may also be present in pigments used in works of art on paper, although other lead sources (such as wall paint) in historic houses likely present a greater lead exposure risk. Wear gloves if you suspect the presence of heavy metals in materials you are handling.
===Disaster preparedness and response===
====Preparedness====
:See: Emergency Preparedness & Response § Preparedness
A disaster plan provides the overall strategy for minimizing the impact of an emergency. The plan must be in place before the disaster occurs and should be regularly updated to reflect changes in staffing, storage locations, and collection priorities. The plan should consider the specific risks faced by your collection (such as hurricane, earthquake, fire, flooding, etc.) and should include a contact list, building maps, and a list of high priority items. Even a very basic plan is better than no plan at all. Prepare kits of disaster response supplies (PPE, plastic sheeting, paper towels, flashlight, clipboard, sharpie) stored in an area accessible to all staff, and note their location in the disaster plan.
Find and join regional cultural heritage disaster response groups specific to your area (for example, Bay Area Mutual Aid Network (BAMAN), Los Angeles Preservation Network (LAPNet), Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance (TX-CERA). These groups may provide access to supplies, training, and assistance. Consider scheduling disaster response training for staff such as fire extinguisher training and wet salvage. You may want to establish a contract or at least a contact with a property recovery company such as Belfor or Polygon Group. Get to know your local fire department, who should also be on your contact list. And finally, addressing known building problems in advance of a disaster and keeping up with regular building maintenance is essential.
====Response====
:See: Emergency Preparedness & Response § Salvage and Recovery
In the aftermath of a disaster, swift and informed action is critical to mitigate damage to book and paper collections in historic houses. National Heritage Responders' Disaster Response & Recovery Guides offer useful quick guidance. Water events are a major concern for book and paper collections, and the first 48 hours are crucial in what can be saved. Stabilizing wet materials such as paper or books involves carefully separating pages and air-drying them to prevent adhesion and mold growth. Wet leather also may require special attention and handling. Wet collections must be handled carefully to avoid secondary damage such as media bleed or structural failure​. Ensuring airflow helps prevent mold, and absorbent materials can help drying. If drying is not immediately possible, freezing wet items is another effective measure to halt further deterioration until professional treatment can be arranged. Property recovery companies specialize in document recovery and offer freeze-drying for wet books and paper artifacts. 
Although disaster response poses a great variety of challenges, it is important to document the condition of collection materials as much as possible. Using tools such as cell phone photographs and voice memos can save time. Using simple labeled pieces of paper appended to collection items will suffice. Labeling items and bags is crucial to be able to return items to the site in their proper location.
Regional disaster response hotlines are valuable resources for immediate assistance. The National Heritage Responders provide a 24-hour hotline at 202.661.8068 for institutions whose collections have been affected by emergencies. Additionally, regional networks (mentioned in the Preparedness section above) may offer localized assistance and resources for disaster recovery. The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) also provides resources and coordination for cultural institutions during disasters.
===Security===
Because collections in historic house museums tend to be on open display, extra precautions are needed to protect materials from theft and vandalism. Adequate security for open displays may require guards, video monitors and other security arrangements. Small objects that could be easily pocketed or that are valuable should be exhibited in a case when possible, or reproductions should be used. Even reproductions and props may be costly to replace, however, so these may also need protection. Placement of tour paths should also take security concerns into consideration.
===Working with a conservator===
While this page aims to empower all caretakers of historic house museums to take actions to preserve their collections, there may be times when advice or treatment from a conservation professional is needed. The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) provides a guide for Hiring a Conservation Professional on their website. You can locate a professional conservator using AIC's Find a Professional tool.
==Works on paper==
===Matting and framing===
====Adapting old mats and frames====
:See: BPG Matting and Framing § Adapting Old Mats and Frames
====Precautions for uncontrolled environments====
:See: BPG Matting and Framing § Precautions for Uncontrolled Environments
===Reproductions/facsimiles===
====Factors to consider====
* Weighing cost/benefit (original is very poor condition...emotional connection with an original)
* Need to explain facsimiles (creation and reasoning) to visitors 
* Frame or other mounting methods could be original, too, so need to consider creating a replica of frame
* Cost of digitizing: high resolution and FADGI color authenticity (potential need for Grant $$)
====Production====
* local university might be willing to provide probono digitization service
* this can take time since it will be a low-priority project for the university; ask well in advance of exhibition needs, etc. 
* See BPG Imaging and Digitization
====Care and maintenance====
* periodic replacement of facsimile if fading is observed (facsimile can be put under brighter lights, etc.)
* still need to dust and monitor for damage
* see BPG Matting and Framing , BPG Exhibition, Supports, and Transport, 
====Storing originals====
* flat in archival folders inside boxes
* kept in storage conditions between 59-77 degrees Fahrenheit and 45-55 % RH +/- 5 (see Environmental Guidelines)
* see BPG Housings and also PMG Preservation Housing Materials and Formats
====Interactive facsimiles====
* replace more frequently
* daily (or 2x daily?) cleaning if interactive digital image on iPad, etc.
* signage about creation of facsimile
* consistent messaging and understanding of why it's important for the item to be handled (i.e., show how thick or thin a piece of paper is; delicacy of brush strokes...)
* consider the cost and effort of replacement. If considerable, consider limiting interactions to those leading the tour
===Conservation treatment===
====Factors to consider====
* Reproductions - does it make sense to put in time and expense for repro? Easier and cheaper to make new repro?
* Originals - prioritize preventive maintenance to avoid need for treatment, with the understanding that prolonged display(exposure, fading, darkening) will be the biggest problem to overcome
==Books==
===Interactions of books and bookshelves===
[when shelving damages books/when books damage shelving; microclimates]
[discuss furniture modification (cabinet doors or glass covers) for security; discuss original bookcases and original furniture that is integral to the collection]
===Housing===
[discuss “invisible” housing options such as the book shoe and 4-flap enclosures with Mylar spines]
A long strip of mylar on top of a shelf will prevent the dust from falling directly on historical items if the historic home cannot place their items in storage or exhibit cases. [insert image or description of shelf in Monticello?]
===Reproductions/facsimiles===
====For books on permanent display====
* Book displayed open, i.e. account book, guest book, page with inscription: worth reproduction because of cumulative exposure
* Find bookbinder to recreate books (leather bound, could be blank books if interior won't be displayed) or purchase (19th/20th century cloth bindings)
=====Factors to consider=====
* facsimile/repro vs. prop (intent of use and display)
* cost of reproduction
* finding storage location for books takes up more space than paper items mentioned above
* could accurate, life-size depiction of a bookcase be acceptable ? 
* if using original display method, like shelf, make sure it is in good condition and can withstand the weight of the new books 
=====Production=====
* full digitization of books can be long and expensive, but perhaps worth it if translating it into interactive component (i.e. digital can flip pages, zoom in, etc.)
* long-term storage of digital image/content
=====Care and maintenance=====
* books on permanent display still need to be monitored for dust and light fading
* long-term storage of digital image/content
=====Storing originals=====
* keep in storage conditions between 59-77 degrees Fahrenheit and 45-55 % RH +/- 5 (see Environmental Guidelines)
* see BPG Housings
====Interactive facsimiles====
* repro of guest book with specific page: bookbinder included multiple sheets of this specific page so that when it fades, the museum can turn to a new opening with the same content
====Partial reproductions of book components====
===Handling and research use===
*use care when removing books from shelves; do not pull on headcaps
*support other books on shelf when removing a book so that they do not fall; leave a slip where the book was removed
*clean dry hands (or gloves if metallic or photographic components are present)
*handle books on a table while seated
*use book supports to limit opening angle
===Conservation treatment===
====Factors to consider====
[discuss batch treatment with focus on spine appearance]
====Materials====
[discuss adhesive choices (think about softening in warmer temperatures; books might stick in packed shelving, etc.)]
==Other paper-based materials==
===Wallpaper===
:See also: BPG Support Problems § Wallpaper
====Conservation treatment====
[discuss cautions around removal]
Prior to conservation treatment: Depending on the time period of the wallpaper and the historic home, there may be examples of it in late 19th-century architectural journals (Frangiamore, 40). "Fireboards," or pieces of wood that were used to cover a fireplace opening, were often covered with wallpaper to match the walls, and these may have been stored in the historic home and forgotten (Frangiamore, 41).
Preserving wallpaper in place
[discuss issues of building structure that may affect the treatment. e.g. building sags and corners of wallpaper are stressed; treatment is dependent on addresssing structural treatment first]
====Reproductions====
===Globes===
:See also: BPG Support Problems § Globes
* If the globe cannot be displayed behind UV protective plexi, consider turning the globe every few months so one area does not get more light exposure to bright sources, such as windows
* If area is not regularly accessed, consider covering the globe with a light and dust barrier such a tyvek cover
===Paper screens===
===Paperboard boxes===
https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Paper_Supports#Boxes_(EW)
* act of removing lids from paper boxes can cause damage structurally or to the delicate distemper wallpaper designs
* consider use of silica in uncontrolled environments
===Paper linings in trunks and boxes===
* often prone to significant damage due to micro enclosure catalyzing iron degradation, mold growth, and insect activity
* store with silica if in an uncontrolled environment closed
* consider a mylar insert to protect the paper from dust collection if displayed open
* inherent issues with iron components of the trunk's hardware may be unavoidable, but careful control of the environment could help slow process of iron degradation to the paper
===Paper labels adhered to objects===
* those in situ are prone to damage from contact with substrates that may be acidic such as wood
* can be torn or abraded easily
* consider covering with mylar film or a thin plexi cover
* consider if the label can be removed by a conservator and stored separately
==References==
==Bibliography==
Costain, Charlie. "Framework for Preservation of Museum Collections." Canadian Conservation Institute Newsletter no. 14 (1994): 1-4.
Frangiamore, Catherine Lynn. Wallpapers in Historic Preservation. Washington, D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior, 1977.
The National Trust Manual of Housekeeping: The Care of Collections in Historic Houses Open to the Public. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008.
Waller, Robert R. "Risk Management Applied to Preventive Conservation." In Storage of Natural History Collections: A Preventive Conservation Approach, edited by Carolyn L. Rose, Catharine A. Hawks, and Hugh H. Genoways. Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, 1995.
==Further reading==
==External links==
==History of this page==
This page was created in July 2024 following the BPG Wiki Discussion session on this topic at the 2024 AIC Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Category:Materials and TreatmentCategory:Book & Paper