NEDCC's paper conservators are highly skilled and can treat a wide variety of objects. The Center specializes in rare, fragile, and oversize materials, and treatments range from single objects to large collections.
NEDCC Treats the Following Materials
- Architectural drawings
- Asian Art Works including scrolls, screens, and wood block prints
- Blueprints
- Documents
- Drawings
- Ephemera
- Globes
- Pastels
- Parchment
- Papyrus
- Photographs
- Prints
- Maps
- Wallpaper
- Watercolors
- 3-dimensional objects with paper components
Visit the Working With NEDCC section for information about obtaining a proposal.
NEDCC'S APPROACH TO Conservation
Conservation Treatment
NEDCC's conservators adhere to the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in all its treatments and programming.
Each project begins with thorough communication between the conservator and the client. Following an in-depth examination, conservators discuss treatment options and may suggest alternative preservation options tailored to the object’s needs. Final treatment decisions take into account factors such as the artifact’s condition, intended use, aesthetic significance, material stability, and available financial resources.
Every project is documented with before-and-after photos and a detailed written report, which are provided to the client as a permanent record.
Treatment Proposals
Paper conservation proposals are developed in consultation with each client. The choice of treatment depends not only on condition, but also on factors such as the object’s future use, storage or display conditions, historical or artistic content, predicted treatment outcomes, and budget.
Stabilization
Conservation stabilization is intended to slow deterioration. Typical treatments may include:
- Alkalization to inhibit future degradation
- Aqueous treatment to reduce acidity, deterioration products, discoloration, and stains
- Consolidation of flaking or friable media
- Filling areas of loss
- Lining fragile or fragmentary objects with Japanese paper
- Mending tears
- Reduction of surface mold
- Removal of self-adhesive tapes
- Separation from harmful mounts and laminations
- Surface cleaning to reduce superficial dirt
Cosmetic Treatment
For works with aesthetic value, additional treatments may include stain reduction, filling losses with matching paper, and inpainting (retouching) areas of image loss. These non-essential treatments are performed at client's discretion.
Rehousing options, such as polyester film encapsulation or museum-quality mounting and matting, are also available.
Historical Wallpaper Treatment
NEDCC’s conservators have extensive experience treating historical wallpapers, either on-site or safely removed, if possible, for treatment in our conservation lab in preparation for re-installation. In some instances, the Paper Conservation Lab works closely with NEDCC’s Imaging Services, which has experience creating digital reproductions for losses in wallpaper designs, printing on a variety of sympathetic papers and creating full room reproduction wallpapers for installation onsite.
Preparator Services
NEDCC offers an full range of custom conservation matting and framing services, including:
- Museum quality mounting and matting
- Sealed packages and sink mats
- Tension mounting for parchment documents
- Custom frames, shadowboxes, and fitting into existing client frames
- Custom housings; design and fabrication of archival housings and enclosures
- Conservation mounting
- Preparation for exhibition and travel
Learn more about proper framing techniques:
"What's Behind Your Frame?"
Conservation & Digital Imaging
Clients have the option of pairing their conservation project with digital imaging. Optimum image capture often takes place during conservation treatment, and NEDCC's book and paper conservation labs work closely with the Center's imaging studios. Because of this unique collaboration, NEDCC's conservators are able to consult with photographers to determine the best approach for imaging an object and advise on careful handling of rare and fragile materials. This further protects the material, improves efficiency, and captures information at the safest and most appropriate time, while conservation treatment ensures long-term preservation of the original object.
NEDCC's collections photographers adhere to the FADGI (Federal Agency Digitization Guidelines Initiative) standards for still imaging of cultural heritage materials, ensuring that all aspects of the environment, equipment, workflow, and deliverables meet these rigorous guidelines.
Assessments and Consultations
Conservators also provide preservation outreach and guidance directly to clients by conducting collection- and item-level assessments, teaching workshops and webinars, and answering technical inquiries.
Since the cost of treatment depends on the condition of the object and the type of treatment required, NEDCC's conservators examine each object prior to preparing a treatment proposal and cost estimate. Objects can be brought to NEDCC or shipped to us for examination.
NEDCC also offers several types of assessments to support preservation planning and fundraising, including:
- Preservation Assessments (including Pre-Assessments and Community-Based Assessments)
- Digital Preservation Assessments
- Collection-Level and Item-Level Assessments (including paper-based, bound, photographic and film-based materials, and audio collections.)
Assessment reports can strengthen grant applications and guide long-term preservation planning. NEDCC can assist in developing and carrying out grant-funded projects and offers guidance on proposal planning.
Getting Started
Visit the Working With NEDCC section for information about obtaining a proposal.
NEDCC is a FEDLINK approved vendor.
For information on obtaining a conservation treatment proposal
Conservation Services for Cultural Institutions
Conservation Services for Private and Family Collectors
For information on shipping
Packing and shipping instructions are available here
For information on NEDCC's Courier Services
NEDCC offers courier services on a negotiated basis for clients in the northeast corridor of the US. Learn More about NEDCC’s Courier Services.
LEARN MORE about our staff
Read about the experience and qualifications of the NEDCC Paper and Photograph Conservation Staff.
Follow NEDCC Stories
Stories about some of NEDCC's most interesting conservation, digitization, audio preservation, and other preservation projects. Read in-depth descriptions of the processes and view detailed photo galleries of collections from cultural institutions, large and small, across the nation. NEDCC Stories
questions?
Email Michael Lee
Director of Paper and Photograph Conservation
(978) 470-1010, ext. 228
