Discovering, Preserving, and Celebrating the Culture > Preserving Photographs

Tell us your story or share a family photograph.
—Learn more about the NMAAHC Memory Book

Inauguration of the first A.M.E. church in Los Angeles, circa 1898

Discovering, Preserving, and Celebrating the Culture

Preserving Photographs

Protect photos from light by placing them in acid free folders, sleeves and boxes
Make a copy to use for research or display and keep the original in proper storage
Avoid storage in wooden drawers or cardboard boxes
Avoid extreme fluctuations in heat and humidity
Keep storage areas clean to avoid attracting insects and rodents; keep liquids away to prevent spills and stains
When handling, make sure hands are clean and avoid touching the image
Be aware that many commercially available photo albums contain acidic paper, harmful plastics and adhesives. Avoid laminated photo albums
Avoid buffered tissue paper and plastic sleeves that contain polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Do not use staples, paperclips, tape or glue

Source: Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, Handling Paper Artifacts (see Resources for more information)

Preserving Books Preserving Furniture Preserving Paper Preserving Clothing and Textiles

Saving African American Sacred Spaces

Prompted by the destruction by fire of Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church in January 2006, the museum has sought ways to alert the local community to the conservation issues endangering their heritage.

StoryCorps Griot

This year-long initiative will strive to gather and preserve the life stories of African American families by recording their oral histories.

Collaboration

Save Our African American Treasures requires a joint effort of collaboration and provides opportunities for all partners and audience members to benefit.