Discovering, Preserving, and Celebrating the Culture > Preserving Books

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

When Malindy Sings, Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1872 - 1906, 1903, De Vincent Collection of American Sheet Music

Discovering, Preserving, and Celebrating the Culture

Preserving Books

Don't pull a book out by its spine as this can cause damage. Instead pull a book out by pressing on either side or by pushing out from behind
Store books standing up and not on their sides
Be careful when opening or photocopying a book. Support the spine and try to open only as wide as necessary
Do not use staples, paperclips, tape or glue
Keep away from light
Avoid extreme fluctuations in heat and humidity
Keep storage areas clean to avoid attracting insects and rodents

Source: Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, Handling Paper Artifacts (See Resources for further information).

Preserving Furniture Preserving Paper Preserving Photographs 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.