Treatment FOCUS: The Mennonite Heritage Center's 18th-century Family Records
The Mennonites were one of the persecuted Anabaptist German Protestant groups who emigrated to the United States in the 18th century, seeking religious freedom. Today, the Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania manage the Mennonite Heritage Center (MHC). Its collections illustrate and interpret three centuries of Mennonite life in eastern Pennsylvania. 

MHC contacted CCAHA about three items from the collection in fragile condition: a 1536 Froschauer Bible and two fraktur family records. Thanks to grant funding, the objects are receiving treatment at CCAHA. MHC collaborated with CCAHA to write an application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America Collections Stewardship grant program. The grant was awarded in 2016, and we are currently carrying out the conservation treatment.
Follow the NEH-funded Robert Cornelius Daguerreotype Database Project

CCAHA Photograph Conservator Rachel Wetzel is posting updates about her NEH-funded daguerreotype research and database project to several social media sites. The project began as a collaborative study between Wetzel (right) and Library of Congress Senior Photograph Conservator Adrienne Lundgren (left). Together with a team of specialists, they will investigate the effects of historic cleaners on daguerreotypes. The NEH Research and Development grant will fund the creation of an online database of the work of Philadelphia photographer Robert Cornelius, who made many contributions to the daguerreotype process in the mid-19th century. 

Click here to view project updates on Facebook.


Click here to view project updates on Twitter. 
CCAHA's Regional 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.

This month, CCAHA Preservation Specialist Samantha Forsko will present the Stewardship program at two conferences. On Monday, March 6, she will attend the Mississippi Museums Association Annual Conference in Natchez, MS. On Tuesday, March 7, she will attend the Alabama Museums Association Annual Conference in Cullman, AL.

Kick-off webinars introducing the project will be held in mid-May —stay tuned for dates and viewing information.
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.

This article highlights one of CCAHA’s early, high-profile projects: the 1984 treatment of a draft of the Declaration of Independence written in Thomas Jefferson’s hand. 

Printed in 1982, this article discusses the conservation and preservation uses of a new material—Mylar—through an interview with and photos of CCAHA.

Mission: Keep History in Sight
This article, published in 1983 in the Philadelphia Inquirer, highlights an important aspect of CCAHA’s work: disaster recovery.

View ongoing coverage on our website.
Upcoming Workshops
April 4
Philadelphia, PA

Participants in this workshop learn about methods for proper assessment, care, and handling of audiovisual collections. Hands-on sessions demonstrate cleaning and housing basics and address issues such as reformatting and maintaining playback equipment.

May 18
Bryn Mawr, PA

Topics covered include handling and storage of a variety of materials including metals, glass, ceramics, and wood using the collection at Bryn Mawr College. Participants discuss the historical "ideal" environmental conditions for these objects as well as the current changes to those standards.
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.