Work Description: Today, I began the day by revising and resubmitting the El Paso Times Newspaper Clippings Collection finding aid based on Mrs. Claudia’s feedback. After confirming the updates were in place, I moved on to one of the most complex preservation efforts to date: working on the final two folders in the Dolan Papers Collection, Folder 214 and Folder 215. Both folders were extremely fragile, with dozens (if not hundreds) of brittle and crumbling paper fragments, many illegible or faded with time and acidic degradation. The folders appear to be separated; however, I found fragments of both folders mixed in each plastic housing. I photographed each set of contents in stages, both to preserve a visual record of the condition and to aid any future conservation effort. Folder 214 was carefully separated, and a reconstructed letter was mostly stabilized and documented. Folder 215, however, remains in progress and will be completed on June 24 due to the volume of fragments and overlapping materials. This project required patience, steady hands, and extreme care in handling the materials to avoid further loss.
Reflection: Today marked a significant milestone in the Dolan Papers preservation project—reaching the final and most challenging folders. Working with folders 214 and 215 was a humbling experience. The condition of these documents pushed my preservation skills to a new level, demanding slow, focused effort and a balance between intervention and restraint. Photographing the fragments gave me an appreciation for the visual aspect of conservation and its importance when future repairs are either impractical or impossible. I found myself reflecting on the history behind these papers—how even scraps carry meaning, names, and official signatures that deserve to be seen and remembered. I was especially moved while piecing together the letter in Folder 214, which spoke to someone's honorable service and discharge. It’s remarkable how much humanity survives in a single document, even when broken. Though challenging, today reminded me why preservation work matters. I look forward to finishing Folder 215 with just as much care tomorrow.
Definitions:
- Fragmentary Evidence: A term in archival preservation referring to materials that exist only in incomplete or damaged states but still hold evidentiary value.
- Conservation Photography: The process of photographing fragile or damaged archival materials before and during preservation treatment to document their condition.
- Brittle Paper: Paper that has deteriorated due to acidic content, age, or environmental exposure, causing it to become fragile and easily breakable.
Summary of Work Completed:
- Revised and resubmitted El Paso Times Newspaper Clippings Collection finding aid.
- Began preservation of Folder 214 and 215 from the Dolan Papers.
- Carefully unpacked, sorted, and documented fragile paper contents.
- Fully completed Folder 214 preservation, including reconstructive layout of a damaged letter.
- Photographed all stages of handling for both folders.
- Deferred Folder 215 completion to June 24 due to its extensive fragmentation.
The Dolan Papers Collection contains acid-free enclosures and two clearly labeled plastic sleeves holding the fragments from Folders 214 and 215. Each set of materials has been placed in a secure, labeled archival-quality bag to prevent further deterioration. This photograph shows the initial housing before the fragments were removed for preservation work.
Folder 214 is shown in its unopened plastic sleeve, with visible curling and yellowing from acid damage. Several paperclips have been attached to inner groupings of fragments, which were carefully removed during processing. This image serves as a baseline reference of the folder’s condition before intervention began.
The plastic sleeve containing Folder 214 has been opened slightly to better view the discolored, fragile contents. You can see brittle fragments and the remnants of a document with elegant cursive handwriting. This step was essential for assessing how to approach handling without losing further material.
With the sleeve fully opened, the contents of Folder 214 begin to be sorted by size and legibility. Several intact portions of text are visible and will guide placement and identification. This image helps show the initial organization strategy for working with delicate fragments.
In this stage, larger pieces of Folder 214 are removed from the sleeve and placed around the main body for potential reassembly. This was done on archival mat board to reduce handling and friction. The photo documents both the layout method and the extent of visible ink and content.
Folder 215 begins with its fragments still fully inside the original envelope, marked "EXTREMELY FRAGILE." The yellow envelope is also disintegrating, with pieces falling away and leaving acidic residue. This photo shows the starting point before disassembly and photo documentation.
Folder 215 is gently opened, and pieces spill out in various sizes and conditions. The mat board helps catch any tiny particles, while the main body of materials is still preserved in its plastic. The deterioration is more advanced here, and this photo helps demonstrate the complexity of the preservation ahead.
During early layout, the paper fragments from Folder 215 reveal several handwritten passages, mostly in cursive. The writing is still legible, but many of the fragments are curling or cracked. It’s evident that matching pieces and reading the content will require careful placement and minimal movement.
This layout shows the most complete reassembly attempt of the major pieces in Folder 215. The fragments are arranged logically based on handwriting and paper texture, with minimal overlap. Photographing this layout is essential in case further crumbling or shifting occurs.
A broader layout for Folder 215 captures more scattered fragments, many too small or disassociated to immediately identify. This documentation ensures that even the smallest pieces are accounted for in future conservation. It also helps with fragment-matching later, especially for content recovery.
A partially reconstructed document from Folder 214 is displayed, showing handwriting referring to “Patrick Dolan” and a dated location of Fort Davis, Texas, August 30, 1876. The document is missing key portions but remains legible and has historical value. The photo shows its stabilization using archival mat backing.
The same document from Folder 214 is shown after additional reassembly, with more pieces aligned and flattened. This photo reveals the full body of the letter, which appears to be a recommendation or discharge note. It is likely signed by Capt. W.S. Ross, making it significant for historical research.
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