
South Carolina is no stranger to hurricanes or dangerous flooding, but that doesn’t make the aftermath any easier. While the South Carolina State Museum has weathered many storms, we understand the grief in losing precious things and the frustration in clearing debris and rebuilding. Our Collections Team is always looking for new and better ways to keep our objects safe and how to best address issues with damaged objects.
Many types of objects can be preserved and restored and there are online resources to help.
General Information
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to “Save Your Family Treasures
After the Flood: Emergency Stabilization and Conservation Measures National Park Service
Salvage of Water Damaged Materials Minnesota Historical Society
Northeast Document Conservation Center Disaster Assistance Northeast Document Conservation Center
For Photographs and Paper (letters, books, etc)
Saving Photographs After the Flood American Institute for Conservation
Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
What To Do If Collections Get WetLibrary of Congress
Salvage of Water Damaged Materials Minnesota Historical Society
For Textiles (clothing, quilts, etc)
Salvaging Water Damaged Textiles American Institute for Conservation
Salvage At A Glance Part V: Textiles National Park Service
Salvage of Water Damaged Materials Minnesota Historical Society
For Furniture and other objects
Emergency Treatment For Water-Soaked Furniture And Wooden Objects National Park Service
Flood-Damaged Furniture Disaster Recovery North Carolina State University
Emergency Treatment of Water-Damaged Paintings on Canvas Canadian Conservation Institute
Salvage At A Glance Part III: Object Collections National Park Service
Salvage of Water Damaged Materials Minnesota Historical Society
If you would like to contact a professional conservator about your damaged items, you can find a list of conservators listed by name and region from the American Institute for Conservation here: https://community.culturalheritage.org/home.