CCAHA Annual Open House

Wednesday, November 8
5:30-7:30 PM

Help us celebrate 40 years of CCAHA on November 8th with our annual Open House. CCAHA's conservation staff will display a variety of artifacts treated in the lab, from rare books to fine art. Light refreshments will be served. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
CCAHA Presentations

On Thursday, October 12, CCAHA Photograph Conservator Rachel Wetzel will speak at the Lantern Slide Salon held annually at the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Rachel will speak about her recent conservation treatment of a series of lantern slides from Bryn Athyn College. This free event runs from 6-8 PM. Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Networking for Disaster Management in the Performing Arts
CCAHA Preservation Specialist Samantha Forsko recently presented a 90-minute webinar on emergency response and preparedness for performing arts organizations. The webinar examined t he history of networking for improved emergency preparedness in the cultural heritage, arts, and government sectors and explored existing networks, including the Pennsylvania Cultural Resilience Network (PaCRN) , an initiative of CCAHA.
CCAHA Senior Photograph Conservator Barbara Lemmen becomes Fellow of American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)

CCAHA Senior Photograph Conservator Barbara Lemmen has achieved the status of AIC Fellow. Barbara earned this designation based on her education, years of treatment experience, and contributions to the field of conservation.
CCAHA at Upcoming Conferences

CCAHA's staff will be at numerous conferences this fall, speaking and handing out preservation-themed temporary tattoos.

CCAHA Executive Director Laura Hortz Stanton will attend the Greater Hudson Heritage Network annual conference in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, on October 10. CCAHA and DHPSNY are gold level co-sponsors of the conference. Stop by the booth for information on our services! Laura will also attend the International Sports Heritage Association annual conference October 18-20 in Knoxville, TN.

CCAHA Preservation Specialist Samantha Forkso will attend the Pennsylvania Historical Association annual meeting in Scranton, PA, October 12-14. Samantha will sit on a panel called "Putting Public History to Practice in the Field," presenting her white paper " Developing Cooperative Disaster Networks for Cultural Institutions: A White Paper on the Pennsylvania Cultural Resilience Network (PaCRN). "

CCAHA Director of Preservation Services Dyani Feige will be at the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums conference in Pittsburgh, PA, October 19-21. Dyani will chair a session on advocating for collections care and speak in a session called "The Pennsylvania Cultural Resilience Network: Protecting a State's Cultural Resources."
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.

The next round of in-person workshops will occur this month 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.

In 2006, CCAHA treated a unique fraktur: an intricate lover’s knot weaving together poetry and a marriage proposal. 

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.

Upcoming Programs
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.