Work Description: Today, I focused on intensive preservation and rehousing efforts for two delicate folders in the Dolan Papers Collection: Folder 195 and Folder 213. These folders contained highly fragile, water-damaged, and brittle documents that required extra attention and care. Folder 195 arrived encased in a plastic sleeve with yellowed tape, thread, and embedded metal fasteners, all of which posed significant preservation risks. I began by carefully removing the sewn plastic sleeve and fragments to prevent further tearing and chemical damage. Once removed, I stabilized the paper fragments with a layer of acid-free tissue and transferred them to a larger archival folder for flat housing. I arranged the loose fragments in their approximate original layout for future reassembly or conservation, while ensuring all metal was removed to prevent future oxidation. Each fragment was handled gently to avoid additional stress, and all work was documented with before-and-after photographs.
Folder 213, which had been misfiled under Folder 211, presented a different set of preservation challenges. It contained an oversized, partially laminated military commission document folded into quarters inside a brittle brown envelope. After carefully opening the envelope and assessing the condition, I separated the document from the acidic paper sleeve and unfolded it with minimal handling. The creases were reinforced using buffered support sheets, and I transferred the item to an acid-free oversize folder for improved long-term storage. To minimize light exposure and further deterioration, I sandwiched the document between layers of buffered paper. This process allowed me to preserve both the integrity and legibility of the document without further introducing harmful adhesives or pressure. Throughout the day, I ensured that each step followed archival best practices and that all preservation actions were reversible, documented, and appropriately labeled for future processing.
Reflection:
This preservation-focused shift reminded me just how hands-on and delicate archival work can be. Handling highly fragile documents like the ones in Folders 195 and 213 pushed me to apply everything I’ve learned about material science, archival ethics, and preservation strategy. I was struck by the visual power of decay—yellowed tape, brittle paper, and rusted fasteners told a story of time and neglect that our current interventions are designed to halt. One of the most rewarding aspects of today’s work was carefully laying out the pieces of the Muster and Pay Roll from Folder 195, trying to reconstruct a 19th-century document from scraps. It felt like solving a puzzle where each piece preserved offered a deeper insight into Texas history. I gained a deeper appreciation for how metadata, physical rehousing, and conservation techniques converge to protect and honor the past. These preservation tasks, though time-consuming, reinforce the irreplaceable value of historical documents and our responsibility as archivists to care for them. I left today’s shift feeling fulfilled, empowered, and excited to continue the preservation work for future generations of researchers and storytellers.
Summary of Work Completed:
- Removed degrading plastic sleeve and thread-stitched elements from Folder 195.
- Reassembled and arranged fragmented documents using acid-free backing and buffered tissue.
- Removed all metal fasteners, left tape as removing it would cause further damage.
- Rehoused all Folder 195 documents into large acid-free archival folders for flat storage.
- Opened misfiled Folder 213 (originally labeled 211), which contained an oversized military document.
- Removed the document from acidic envelope and unfolded for preservation.
- Removed degrading plastic sleeve and thread-stitched elements from Folder 213.
- Buffered and stored Folder 213’s contents in an oversized acid-free folder.
- Documented entire process with photos before and after treatment.
- Flagged items requiring further conservation attention.
- Ensured all materials were rehoused using preservation-grade materials.
This image shows the original plastic sleeve enclosing Folder 195, which contains yellowed tape, thread sewn through the sleeve, and visibly stained paper. The acidic tape and foreign materials posed a severe preservation concern. This stage shows the documents prior to any removal or stabilization.
Here, the plastic sleeve has been opened and the deteriorating paper contents are revealed, including tape and thread tangled within the pages. The documents are still compressed, showing advanced brittleness and staining. This was taken before repositioning the materials for stabilization.
The paper fragments have been transferred to a flat surface on a buffered folder to begin the layout process. Multiple document segments are separated and carefully aligned to recreate their original format. All metal fasteners have been removed to reduce chemical degradation.
This layout shows a near-complete reconstruction of the Muster and Pay Roll, with fragments fitted together like a puzzle. Each section was handled with care to preserve writing and visual continuity. The document has been staged on brown buffered paper to assist with contrast and arrangement.
The same document has now been placed under a polyester sleeve to prevent any airflow, moisture, or further fragmentation. This step ensures the item is stabilized while allowing researchers or conservators to view the document safely. It is now ready for long-term flat storage in an acid-free archival folder.
This photo shows the original brown envelope that had housed Folder 213’s oversized document. The envelope is crumbling and acidic, causing significant edge wear to its contents. Its label misidentified the folder as 211, which was corrected during processing.
After removing the envelope, the military commission document is revealed in fragile condition with broken folds and tape. The document is shown partially encased in another acidic folder. This highlights the need for proper archival housing.
In this image, the military commission document has been fully opened and laid flat for review. Tears along the fold lines and corner losses are visible. The document’s text and eagle header remain legible despite the damage.
The plastic and thread have been removed, and the document has now been stabilized using buffered paper support. This layer will reduce acid migration and keep the piece intact within its new archival folder. The brittle edges have been left untouched to avoid further tearing.
Final preservation stage: The commission document is now sandwiched within an archival polyester sleeve and mounted on acid-free support paper. The piece is ready for storage in an oversized flat folder. This ensures safe access without additional handling stress.
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