The ABCs of Collection Care 

Since 1979, Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) has helped heritage keepers in New York State care for their collections through hands-on trainings, technical assistance, and grant opportunities for organizations statewide. We know how small and mid-size heritage organizations operate - we’ve worked alongside you every day for more than 40 years and are passionate about empowering all those who take on the role of collection steward. Our new publication, The ABC’s of Collection Care is an in-depth guide to collection care, providing staff and volunteers with answers to common collection care questions, along with practical advice and encouragement on how to care for the objects in their collection. Featuring 144 full-color photographs of objects from some of the Hudson River Valley’s historic sites and museums, this guide covers care and handling, storage solutions, important points to remember, and when to seek out a professional conservator for a variety of object types: from ceramics, to textiles, to glass and everything in between!

The Need
Historic items are found in not only at heritage sites but also in private and family collections. When searching the internet for guidance, people often find care recommendations that can be ultimately damaging to their collections:

• using ketchup or toothpaste to clean silver
• putting books in the microwave to kill mold
• using Pledge on gilded frames
• washing antique glass in the dishwasher
• using vinegar to clean waxed furniture
• storing paintings by leaning against a basement wall

For sites that rely heavily on volunteers or staff without in-depth museum training, what is needed is a clear, visual, “at- your fingertips” guide on the care of treasured collections from a trusted source – which can be used by staff, volunteers, and even the general public.
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In Spring 2022 GHHN sent a survey to all the sites in the Maurice D. Hinchey National Heritage Area footprint that hold historic collections – explaining the project and asking which object types they would allow us to come and photograph. Due to time constraints, exhibition schedules, and staff availability, 15 sites were able to participate in the publication: Putnam History Museum, Boscobel House and Gardens, Vanderbilt National Historic Site/Rath Storage Building, Locust Grove, Historical Society of Rockland County, Lyndhurst, Montgomery Place/Bard Archives, Mount Gulian Historic Site, Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art (SUNY New Paltz), Historic Huguenot Street, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Historic Cherry Hill, Hudson River Museum, Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands. Manitoga and West Point Museum submitted images for inclusion in the publication. 

Each page covers care and handling, storage solutions, important points to remember, and input from conservators about the specific item type. GHHN wrote the text, then sent off to a panel of conservators for their feedback. Conservator panel includes: Michele Phillips (Paper/Photographs), AM Art Conservation (Object/IPM), Kathy McKenzie (Furniture), Sarah Stevens (Textiles), West Lake Conservators (Paintings).
GHHN concurrently produced the mockups for each page, selecting one image for the front and 4 additional images for the back of the page as well as the text layout.

The ABCs of Collection Care is available for purchase as a print book at the affordable price of $20 or an ebook ($14.99), via Amazon.

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Excerpted Pages
Click on the text pages to enlarge them. 

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