Collections Care
Caring for Our Collections
The Society strives to provide the best care for our collections. Upon arrival, we assess the collection for major conservation problems. At the state-of-the-art State Archive Preservation Facility the Society stores collections in climate controlled preservation storage. We have two conservation labs where professionally trained staff provide preservation and conservation care for our collections.
Resources for Preserving Your Stories
AIC - Caring For Your Belongings
Find information from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works to help you better care for your personal heritage.
Center for Home Movies - Preservation
Explore a collection of resources with information for preserving your family films.
Library of Congress - Preserving Your Family Treasures
This comprehensive website gives detailed instructions and guidelines on topics such as collections care by item type, matting and framing, emergency preparedness, and how to handle existing damage.
Library of Congress - Preserving Your Digital Memories
This website provides an overview of scanning and digital storage media (DVDs, CDs, portable hard drives, thumb drives, or internet storage) as well as information on how to preserve digital media.
National Archives - Caring For Your Family Archives
Learn how to care for your family archives including preserving family papers, digitizing photographs, converting home movies to video tape, and repairing documents.
Nebraska Public Television - Saving Your Treasures
Learn about saving your treasures through online videos and printable files. Get practical and effective methods to help ensure that artifacts, photographs and documents will survive into the future.
Preservation & Conservation Resources
Below is a list of reliable preservation and conservation information resources for museums, historical societies, libraries, and other cultural collecting institutions.
Suppliers of Museum and Archival-Quality Storage Products
When you store your books, paintings, photos, textiles or other materials in your personal collections, be sure to choose storage products that meet archival standards. For example, you should look for products described or labeled as:
- Acid free
- Alkaline or Carbonate buffered
- Lignin free
- "Meets ANSI permanent paper standards"
- Plastic products should be labeled "PAT," which means that the product has passed the Photographic Activity Test
Note: You may use non-archival materials for boxes or protective enclosures if they do not directly touch the paper or object.
Suppliers of Museum and Archival-Quality Storage Products
Scanning and Photo Retouching
Audio/Video/Film Preservation and Digitization Vendors
Please Note: The information presented on this page is not intended to provide comprehensive technical advice or instructions on preservation issues. Any information contained or referenced is meant to provide a basic understanding of preservation practices and does not constitute an endorsement by the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Preserve Historic Buildings
Looking for information about how to preserve your historic building? We have the resources to support you on your journey.
Coming Soon!
Donate to The Society's Collections
Your Story is Wisconsin's Story
History is made every day, everywhere. Since 1846, contributions from people across the state have helped us fulfill our mission to collect, preserve and tell the stories of Wisconsin.
Find Out HowLast Updated: April 14, 2026
