Since the primary goal of this project was surveying and rehousing the materials, our time for repairs was limited. This meant that while we documented the condition and conservation needs of each item, we repaired only those items that could not be safely housed prior to stabilization. Indeed, the majority of items required little more than surface cleaning, humidification, and flattening. Unfortunately this was not always the case: as the holdings of SHSMO are primarily from the late 19th century onwards, much of the paper is very brittle, and the items were not always stored under the best conditions. In many cases, it is clear that the damage dates back to the original owner of the item, though occasionally damage resulted from poor storage after its initial donation. SHSMO has been in its current location for nearly 50 years, and conservation practice has changed significantly in that time.
Over the course of my internship, I undertook two major repair projects, a map of the state and a family tree.
Family Tree
1908 Map of Missouri