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

Copyright 2024. The AIC Wiki is a publication of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC). It is published as a convenience for the members of AIC. Publication does not endorse nor recommend any treatments, methods, or techniques described herein. Information on researching with and citing the wiki can be found on the Reference and Bibliography Protocols page.

Cite this page:

American Institute for Conservation (AIC). "Books and Paper in Historic Houses." AIC Wiki. December 30, 2024. https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Books_and_Paper_in_Historic_Houses.

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 What is more, many collections are on display in the houses for which they were originally made.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."

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. 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

[There can be health hazards in a historic house environment, such as pests (hantavirus from rats), mold (more common for books and paper), (lead) paint, arsenic-containing bookcloth, in addition to arsenic for treatment of historical furs & taxidermy.]

Mold

Main articles: Mold and Category:Mold/Fungi

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 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in any situation where you might encounter mold; you cannot predict how you will react.

Disaster preparedness and response

Main article: Emergency Preparedness & Response

Preparation in advance of a disaster is one of the most important ways to protect collections. In addition to mitigation it is important to identify what the risks are to the books and paper in the historic house. These potential risks include water damage from flooding or burst pipes, fire and soot exposure, pest infestations, and mold growth triggered by prolonged high humidity or water events.

Preparedness

See: Emergency Preparedness & Response § Planning and Emergency Preparedness & Response § Preparedness

Response

See: Emergency Preparedness & Response § Salvage and Recovery, Stabilizing Wet Paper, Stabilizing Wet Books, and Stabilizing Wet Skin and Leather

In the aftermath of a disaster, swift and informed action is critical to mitigate damage to book and paper collections in historic houses. Stabilizing wet materials, such as paper or books, involves carefully separating pages and air-drying them to prevent adhesion and mold growth, as outlined in links listed above for salvage, recovery, and stabilizing wet materials. Ensuring airflow helps prevent mold, and absorbent materials can help drying. Wet collections must be handled carefully to avoid secondary damage such as media bleed or structural failure​. The first 48 hours are crucial in what can be saved. If drying is not immediately possible, freezing wet items is another effective measure to halt further deterioration until professional treatment can be arranged. National Heritage Responders' Tip Sheets offer useful quick guidance. Although disaster response poses a great variety of challenges, it is important to document the condition of collection materials as much as possible. Using swift 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.

For recovery services, property recovery companies such as Belfor and Polygon Group specialize in document recovery and offer freeze-drying for wet books and paper artifacts.

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 such as the Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance (TX-CERA) 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

Books

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.)]

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?]

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]

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]

Globes

See also: BPG Support Problems § Globes

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.

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.