Storage enclosures greatly impact the preservation of photographic materials since they are in long-term, direct contact; the storage enclosures purchased specifically for this collection are the highest quality, meeting national standards for the preservation of photographic materials. The photographs 11 x 14 and smaller were interleaved with paper that passes the Photographic Activity Test (PAT), a test that measures the potential for damaging interactions between enclosures and photographs. Photographs larger than 11 x 14 were individually housed in folders that also pass the PAT. The folders, or interleaving depending on size, protect the photographs during handling and in storage, providing both physical and chemical support. The photographs were then placed in 6 standard sizes of drop-front storage boxes, ranging in size from 8 x 10 to 22 x 28. Boxing by size promotes safe handling and efficient storage, aids in retrieval and provides protection from light, environmental changes and disasters. The cleaned and rehoused collection is stored in Kroch Library, a state-of-the-art facility with appropriate environmental conditions for the storage of photographs.

Substantial progress has been made in stabilizing the collection with 80% of the 13,000 photographs cleaned, repaired as required, and rehoused. Important conservation work remains; the survey indicates that approximately 2,000 photographs require more extensive treatment. These photographs, as a result of this project, have been brought to a level of stabilization where they can be handled with care. However, they would benefit significantly from additional conservation treatment (mount removal, remounting, consolidation of damaged emulsions, and attachment removal) to correct profound deterioration problems.

General Information	Treatment Procedures
	Rehousing

The A. D. White Project is funded by a grant from the
Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
and by a gift from Mr. Patrick A. Gerschel.
The participation of the Cornell Insititute for Digital Collections
has been funded by a gift from Mr. Arthur Penn.

Read a press release about the grant
and the collection