Framing Documents the Archival Way

            Over the holidays I got an email from someone asking about how to frame an old diploma, which they thought was parchment (probably not)  Apparently the document was in poor condition although the writer did not elaborate on what that meant.  There are two questions here - (1) how to care for a damaged document and (2) how to frame documents.  Without knowing more about the document and not being a paper conservator I have to leave the first question to experts.  What I can suggest is to house the material in an archival folder out of the light and contact a conservator in the state where you live.  This can be costly depending on the work that is involved, but there are places that will give estimates.  Here in Texas the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin maintains a list of conservators - www.hrc.utexas.edu/conservation/resources/directory.  I do know that the Northeast Document Conservation Center is a reputable organization (www.nedcc.org) and you can send them documents for estimates.  Conservation comes down to money as the deciding factor.  Individuals protecting family heirlooms just may want to store their documents in a safe, dry, and dark archival box. Organizations may have more money to invest in conservation.

            What I will comment on is how to frame documents to preserve them for as long as possible.  This you can do at home and although more expensive than regular framing the steps you take will help extend the life of your document.  Of course you need archival (acid free) supplies.  The document should be behind UV filtered glass and separated from the glass with an acid free mat.  Never put any document directly touching glass.  It could stick and often will.  Backing of the frame requires archival board - usually e-flute board, which looks like blue-grey cardboard, but is acid free.  Regular cardboard is not acceptable.  If you have framed items with cardboard you should replace the backing for them as well. That’s it and you are good to go.  By the way most good framing places can do this if you ask.  Next step is not hanging it in direct sunlight.  If you really want to protect it take it out of the light every few months.  The term for this is “resting” the material.  Good luck and remember nothing organic lasts forever, but you certainly can extend its life.