Discovering, Preserving, and Celebrating the Culture > Preserving Furniture

Tell us your story or share a family photograph.
—Learn more about the NMAAHC Memory Book

Discovering, Preserving, and Celebrating the Culture

Preserving Furniture

Avoid extreme fluctuations in heat and humidity
When possible, protect from light, such as direct sunlight from a window
Protect from liquids and heat (on tables, use coasters and insulated trivets)
Use care when moving furniture. Maintain a firm grip and do not wear gloves
Hold and carry the piece at its strongest part—hold a chair by the seat rail (not its back or by the hand rail) and hold a table by its apron (not its top or legs)
Use a soft damp cloth to remove dust instead of furniture polish and feather dusters

Source: Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, Furniture Care and Handling (See Resources for more information).

Preserving Books Preserving Paper Preserving Photographs Preserving Clothing and Textiles

Saving African American Sacred Spaces

Prompted by the destruction by fire of Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church in January 2006, the museum has sought ways to alert the local community to the conservation issues endangering their heritage.

StoryCorps Griot

This year-long initiative will strive to gather and preserve the life stories of African American families by recording their oral histories.

Collaboration

Save Our African American Treasures requires a joint effort of collaboration and provides opportunities for all partners and audience members to benefit.