Treatment FOCUS: A Soldier's Memorial Certificate

The American Battle Monuments Commission recently brought a soldier's memorial certificate from c. 1914-1919 to CCAHA for conservation treatment. The 19" x 13" certificate, written largely in French, has this handwritten inscription: "Charlie P. Monroe / Private, 13th Battalion, Infantry Replacement & Training Camp." CCAHA Mellon Fellow Jacinta Johnson treated the certificate using a unique technique: a slant wash. Click here to read the treatment story.

CCAHA at SAA Will you be at the Society of American Archivists annual meeting in Portland July 23-29? We will! Stop by our booth in the Expo to say hello and grab some conservation- and preservation-themed temporary tattoos! In addition, CCAHA Preservation Specialist Samantha Forsko and DHPSNY Program Coordinator Anastasia Matijkiw are presenting a pop-up session on Friday, July 28, from 10AM - 11AM. The session, called "Forget the Best: Good and Better Approaches to Preservation," will highlight how to make preservation a component of any archives program, even one with little to no resources. Click here to learn more.

CCAHA in the News We were thrilled to be featured in an article by our longtime partners at Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) this past month. In "I want a rest!" ESP Manager of Archives and Records Erica Harman writes about the headrests used in ESP's 4,500 20th-century mugshots, many of which have undergone treatment at CCAHA. During this treatment, CCAHA Senior Photograph Conservator Barbara Lemmen offered insight on the potential purpose of the headrests featured in the mugshots.  Click here to read the article.

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. Last month, CCAHA Director of Preservation Services Dyani Feige and CCAHA Preservation Specialist Samantha Forsko were on the road, presenting the first round of workshops on collections care in Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio, and Kentucky.  In July, they'll be presenting webinars on collections management practices for each region:  AL, MS, and the FL Panhandle, and Appalachian KY, OH, and WV. Learn more about the Regional Heritage Stewardship Program here.

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. Mary Louise Baker's Archaeological Illustrations CCAHA has treated many archaeological watercolors belonging to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.  If a Disaster Hits, the Document Docs are Ready This article provides an in-depth look at CCAHA, from conservation treatment to preservation initiatives. An Appalachian Archive This article from The Coalfield Progress discusses CCAHA's conservation survey of an Appalachian archive. Refreshing the Images of the Past This article discusses the difference between conservation and restoration and suggests three places—CCAHA first among them—to have photos treated. View ongoing coverage on our website.

Upcoming Programs

WEBINAR Regional Heritage Stewardship Program Collections Management Practices July 24: 2PM - 3PM Collections Management Practices for AL, MS, and the FL Panhandle July 26: 2PM - 3PM Collections Management Practices for Appalachian KY, OH, and WV This webinar will cover key collections management topics such as acquisition, appraisal, documentation and deeds of gift, inventory, and deaccessioning. Issues in collections management such as “found in the collection” items and abandoned property will also be addressed.

WORKSHOP Collections Care Training Protective Enclosures and Storage for Rolled Paper September 7 Philadelphia, PA   To ensure long-term collections preservation, it is crucial to use proper storage systems and materials, and provide a stable environment with adequate space, furniture, and security. In this hands-on workshop, participants learn to make simple housings for storage of blueprints, drawings, artwork, or rolled documents. A selection of storage materials is reviewed.

Become a CCAHA Member.

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.

Audiovisual Digitization Basics (July 18) Using MODS to Describe Cultural Heritage Resources (July 20)

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.