Treatment FOCUS: A Unique Facsimile
Ultraviolet (UV) light is harmful. It’s bad for our eyes, bad for our skin, and, unsurprisingly, bad for paper objects. The windows and lights at CCAHA filter UV light, and the glazing we use in frames protects artifacts from the wavelength. But in certain controlled circumstances, UV light can be used for good, as a recent CCAHA project shows.

Disaster Resources

In the wake of huge losses, measures can be taken to mitigate damage to objects. Read below to learn about services and resources for those affected.

FEMA's fact sheet  "After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures"  contains helpful resources for object salvage.

FEMA's Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide  has the most up-to-date information on federal funding for private nonprofits after a disaster. 

CCAHA's National Resource Guide for Emergency Preparedness  lists area resources for emergency response.


If you need assistance during regular business hours, please call our offices at 215.545.0613 . Outside of regular business hours, leave a message for a CCAHA staff member on our 24-hour emergency assistance hotline at 215.207.0997 .

Call 202.661.8068 for help from the AIC National Heritage Responders.

FAIC has created an app called ERS: Emergency Response and Salvage, which provides advice in the palm of your hand.
CCAHA in the News

CCAHA Photograph Conservator Rachel Wetzel was recently interviewed for an article in Hidden City Philadelphia. Wetzel spoke about her work on the NEH-funded Robert Cornelius Daguerreotype Database Project, a two-year initiative to document extant photographs by the early Philadelphia photographer.


CCAHA's Regional Heritage Stewardship Program

Building upon past success in education and network-building, CCAHA is leading a set of ambitious new strategies to aid underserved regions of the country, adapting successful service models to assist collecting institutions along the Eastern Gulf Coast and in Appalachia.

We are seeking applicants for our RHSP Preservation Needs Assessment Program. Through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, CCAHA is able to offer a limited number of completely subsidized preservation needs assessments (valued at over $5,500). A preservation needs assessment is a key first step in the process of caring for collections. Click here to apply. Applications must be emailed or postmarked by Friday, September 29, 2017. 

The next round of in-person workshops will occur in October on Essential Policies and Procedures for Cultural Collections and Risk Assessments for Cultural Institutions. More information below.

CCAHA's 40th 

2017 is CCAHA's 40th anniversary. We are commemorating this anniversary by sharing the articles, photos, and reminiscences that tell the story of CCAHA. In this space, we'll share recent posts from our ongoing coverage.

The panorama, dated 1813 and over 13.5 feet long, was at Wyck for over 200 years before it was brought to CCAHA for treatment in 2002.

In 1997, CCAHA treated an object that arrived with a Pennsylvania State Police escort: the 1681 Pennsylvania Charter.

Upcoming Programs
CONFERENCE
September 25-26
Austin, TX 

In this two-day conference, experts in design, space planning, environmental control, and conservation will present strategies and practical approaches to caring for diverse collections. Sessions will include case studies demonstrating how libraries and archives of various sizes have implemented storage initiatives.

Held at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin, the conference is intended for staff involved in collections care, planning, and management for library and archival collections, including directors and administrators, collections managers, curators, librarians, and archivists.

Registration for this program closes Monday, September 11.
WORKSHOP
Collections Care Training
October 3
Philadelphia, PA

Historic collections frequently contain paintings and other framed artwork. This workshop will give an overview on how to care for this type of collection, which requires unique storage and handling considerations. The session will guide participants in preservation best practices, provide recommendations for moving and un-framing artwork, identify conservation concerns, and instruct when to contact a professional conservator.
WORKSHOP
Regional Heritage Stewardship Program
WORKSHOP III: Essential Policies and Procedures for Cultural Collections


This workshop will provide an overview of policy and planning documents that are essential for collections care, such as environmental policies, housekeeping guidelines, and maintenance policies.

Participants will learn the critical components of these documents and will receive tangible examples of how to adapt them to different institutions. Policy development, approval, and implementation responsibilities of staff, volunteers, and board will be discussed.
WORKSHOP
Regional Heritage Stewardship Program
WORKSHOP IV: Risk Assessments for Cultural Institutions


In order to develop an emergency preparedness and response plan, an institution must understand the risks its collections face. A risk assessment identifies potential risks and outlines strategies to mitigate damage in the event of an emergency or disaster. 

This workshop will offer tips for conducting these assessments on a site-wide level and for specific collections, as well as case studies of institutions that have dealt with disasters, and advice on forming relationships with first responders and other outside contacts who can help conduct risk assessments.
CONFERENCE
November 8-9
Philadelphia, PA 

Participants in this two-day conference will hear experts in design, space planning, environmental control, and conservation speak about methods and applications to improve museum collection storage spaces. Sessions will include case studies that demonstrate how museums of various sizes have implemented storage initiatives.

Held at the M ütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the conference is intended for staff involved in collections care, planning, and management for library and archival collections, including directors and administrators, collections managers, curators, librarians, and archivists.
WORKSHOP
Collections Care Training
November 14
Philadelphia, PA 

This workshop addresses the safe handling of paper artifacts, including books and oversized objects, and basic design and labeling of protective enclosures for transport. Discussion includes how to prepare work areas, best practices for moving various types of artifacts, selecting preservation quality supplies and tools, and identifying potential conservation concerns. Participants gain hands-on experience and have an opportunity to sample materials.
Upcoming LYRASIS Programs 
In 2016, CCAHA and LYRASIS partnered to increase their constituents’ access to vital services. CCAHA members receive a discount on LYRASIS programming. In addition, the organizations offer combined consulting for cultural heritage organizations. 
The Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is a nonprofit conservation facility specializing in the treatment of works on paper, photographs, and books through conservation and state-of-the-art digital imaging services. Founded in 1977, CCAHA serves both nonprofit cultural institutions and private individuals and organizations. CCAHA’s preservation services staff present educational programs, conduct preservation assessments, and develop emergency preparedness plans. CCAHA also offers fellowships, fundraising support, and disaster assistance.