Preventing Destruction: Preserving Our Irreplaceable Photographic Heritage

Abstract

The history of photography is brief, yet its impact on mankind is immeasurable. Today, significant photography collections exist worldwide from Boston to Bogota and Beirut. These collections—historic and contemporary—are irreplaceable resources that visually document our history, values, achievements, disappointments, creative expression, and ways of life. The international community of photograph conservation strives to protect and preserve our photographic heritage from deterioration, loss, and destruction. Research, led by conservation and materials science laboratories since the 1960s, has advanced our understanding of photograph preservation, generating significant knowledge about how and why photographic materials deteriorate and how to prevent damage and impede natural deterioration of the wide variety of materials found in photograph collections. However, throughout the United States and around the world, our photographic heritage is vulnerable to natural decay and catastrophic loss. Implementing sustainable solutions to meet best practices for preserving photographic collections remains a global challenge.