d that changing technology allows professionals to conserve objects and documents more effectively.

Treating historic documents has always been a highlight of Allison’s work. She particularly enjoyed working with Gail Harriman to conserve a volume of the “Rough Journals,” the original notes from the Continental Congress.

Because the printer runs at a relatively slow speed, it is gentle on fragile films. For scratched film originals, the lab also used a newer wet-gate printer to minimize the appearance of scratches.

naging the physical records, including their location and conservation work, in NARA’s archival facilities (except the Presidential Libraries). Allison is also helping launch an online database to collect environmental data from all NARA storage spaces.
In addition to her other work, Allison chairs the Preservation Outreach Committee. She helped organize Preservation Programs’ fantastic EXPO last March and is busy preparing for NARA’s 26th Annual Preservation Conference (October 19, 2012) as the chair of the Program Committee.

with film emulsion over time, causing discoloration. We remove harmful tape, clean off the residue, and resplice the film using more stable tape. Though we can't remove the discoloration, it will be much less evident when the film is reprinted to new black and white polyester film stock.

ht levels on the Treaty be kept to a minimum during the exhibit in order to extend the life of this document. This bound Treaty will be displayed open from June 15, 2012 through January 27, 2013. However, midway into the show a conservator will turn a page in the Treaty to reveal a new opening. This practice further reduces the risk of damage from light. Here you can see the pages of the Treaty currently on display.

they were unspooled, making them difficult to handle or transfer. Another indicator of deterioration is the plasticizer that has leached from the cellulose acetate base and is visible on the film surface.

A NARA senior conservator completed conservation treatment including careful surface cleaning of the pages to reduce ingrained grime, reduction of adhesive residues from old repairs, and reinforcing previously-repaired tears and creases.

mation. It warned rebel forces that if they did not surrender and rejoin the Union in 100 days, then all slaves in the rebellious states would be freed. Once it was clear that the South would not surrender, Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation Jan 1, 1863.