Conservation

Conservation at the Boston Athenæum

The Conservation Department is dedicated to the care and repair of Athenæum holdings with inherent historic, artistic or literary value. The department was founded in 1963, making it one of the oldest conservation facilities in any library in the United States. During almost five decades, we have developed the capacity to address the complex technical challenges of preserving paper-based materials.

Athenæum conservators perform conservation treatments on rare books, maps, manuscripts, prints, architectural drawings, broadsides, and pamphlets dating back to the 16th century.

Conservation department staff survey collections for treatment, consult on storage and environmental issues, assist in mounting exhibitions, and coordinate conservation treatment for items required by researchers, for exhibition, or for loan to other institutions.

Inside the Conservation Lab

Meet the Staff | Learn more about the Lab

View conservation treatments of rare materials:

Catalogue of the First Exhibition of Paintings, in the Athenaeum Gallery, Boston, 1827

Egyptian Decorative Shrine Hangings

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

Preservation of your own collections

If you are curious about how best to preserve your books, paper documents, manuscripts, photographs, or any other family heirlooms or collections, Chief Conservator James Reid-Cunningham recommends the following online sources.