Work Description: Today, I completed my hands-on preservation work for Folder 215 of the Dolan Papers Collection. This folder contained hundreds of deteriorated manuscript fragments, which had been severely damaged by age, wear, and environmental factors. I focused my efforts on separating and flattening curled pieces, realigning torn edges, and gently positioning fragments on interleaving sheets for stable storage. Several of the documents had once been letters or formal statements, and I was able to loosely group and reunite fragments based on handwriting and ruling lines. I used tweezers and a soft brush to move delicate slivers without introducing further damage. I also began assembling a PDF report for my supervisor, Mrs. Claudia Romero, documenting all the steps I’ve taken to stabilize both Folder 214 and Folder 215. This includes photographic documentation, narrative summaries, and suggestions for future conservation interventions. In addition, I worked on updates to the Dolan Papers finding aid, refining the scope and content note and listing Folder 215 as "Extremely Fragile – Partial Reconstruction Completed." The materials are now stable for storage and can be evaluated by professional conservators in the future for long-term preservation.
Reflection: This final preservation session with Folder 215 was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my internship so far. The delicate nature of the materials required intense focus, patience, and a steady hand—skills that I’ve improved significantly over the past few weeks. I also had to accept that some pieces cannot be reassembled at this stage and instead focus on ensuring their long-term safety. I feel a sense of accomplishment seeing how far this folder has come—from a pile of brittle, fragmented paper to a more stable arrangement sorted by structure and legibility. Creating the PDF preservation report helped me reflect on the decisions I made during this process, including when to stop actively assembling and when to preserve as-is. This documentation will not only inform future conservation actions, but also provide transparency about the current condition and work completed. I’m proud of how much I’ve learned and contributed through this preservation project. My appreciation for archival work—especially the delicate balance between access, preservation, and ethics—has deepened immensely.
Definitions
- Fragmentary Document: A manuscript or paper that is incomplete due to physical deterioration, missing pieces, or destruction.
- Interleaving Paper: Acid-free, neutral paper used to protect fragile documents and prevent further abrasion or transfer.
- Preservation Report: A written record detailing the condition of items and steps taken to stabilize or conserve archival materials.
Summary of Work Completed
- Completed preservation stabilization of Folder 215 (Extremely Fragile).
- Arranged all document fragments on acid-free paper by shape, content, and ink style.
- Used photo documentation to show progression from loose fragments to semi-reconstructed groupings.
- Created preservation notes for the finding aid update.
- Began drafting a PDF report for Claudia Romero summarizing preservation efforts for Folders in this collection.
- Updated the Dolan Papers Finding Aid with notes on fragile content.
This image shows all fragments from Folder 215 sorted into three acid-free sheets based on content, legibility, and physical form. The smallest and most delicate pieces are gathered on the bottom left, while more readable fragments with complete lines of text appear at the top right. Care was taken to minimize overlap and prepare these sheets for enclosure.
This image focuses on larger, more intact fragments from Folder 215. These pieces contain full words and partial sentences written in cursive script, helping with preliminary reassembly. The spacing of the lines and ink coloration were used to group pieces logically.
This photo captures the third grouping of medium-sized fragments placed on acid-free paper. Several of the pieces were positioned near matching counterparts, and the arrangement suggests portions of two or three different documents. Their placement reflects potential future reassembly.
A close-up of smaller paper scraps, this image highlights the most fragile items in Folder 215. These fragments are thin, crumbling, and appear to have been torn from the edges of documents. They are laid flat and spaced out to avoid further contact or pressure. In the top left corner, fragments that have no lettering are gathered.
This overview image shows the entire workspace used for Folder 215 preservation. It includes all three fragment sheets as well as an acid-free folder where the materials will be stored. The layout reflects methodical documentation and care.
This image captures the final curated arrangement of Folder 215's largest reconstructed groupings. These fragments are ready for storage in a supportive folder and were chosen based on legibility and paper integrity. Some lines are nearly complete across multiple pieces. Almost all harmful debris has been removed from this folder, ensuring continued preservation.
This photo shows another group of assembled pieces, many of which appear to be from the same letter or testimonial. Sentences begin to take form across multiple pieces. The grouping technique prioritizes readability without compromising fragile edges. It is the first of the larger groupings from this folder.
This image captures the second-largest fragments from Folder 215 after they have undergone stabilization. Many of these parts feature words or letters but may later be used to support further reassembly. They are now safe from crumbling further thanks to interleaving.
This image shows the folder's smallest fragments, which are safely stored for further conservation efforts and are undergoing final stabilization. It also displays the completed layout of all fragments for Folder 215. The sheets are clearly sorted and ready for enclosure in a supportive flat archival housing. Visual comparison between this image and earlier progress shots shows the dramatic improvement in organization.
This final photo is of the folder labeled “215 Dolan Papers – Extremely Fragile,” which will hold all preservation work done for this document set. It includes all stabilized sheets and will be stored flat to protect the contents. The handwritten label ensures proper handling alerts.