What is the Region of Peel Archives, and what will I find there?
How can I take care of my own treasures?
Do you have treasures in your attic? Old newspapers, photographs, letters and diaries? Even if they are not as old as the material in the archives they are still important and will become increasingly valuable as time goes by … but only if they are stored properly.
Try to keep your paper treasures dry, dark and flat. Basements and attics are not good places because the temperature and humidity tend to fluctuate which is very destructive. Folded newspapers and other items generally discolour and weaken along the fold line first; so try to store the items flat. If you just a have a few things, purchase a couple of sheets of acid-free mat board from a framing store and keep your items between the sheets. These sheets can also be cut to size. All paper, but particularly photographs are sensitive to light. Have copies made if you want to display them, and keep the originals in a covered box. Another danger to paper and photos is the oil in skin, so handle only by the extreme edges. If you are going to be organizing your collection, wear a pair of white cotton gloves. Old photographs should be identified on the back using pencil. Modern prints have a plastic coating which makes writing difficult. Several scrapbook suppliers sell a soft pencil for this purpose. You can always bring your paper treasures into the Archives for a free consultation.
 Commercial links for archival quality storage supplies:
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