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How to Preserve Historic Newspapers

To some, newspapers seem increasingly antiquated in today's electronic age. Preserving historic newspapers is a noble endeavor, because as a collector you are conserving a piece of society's collective history and memory. Since newspapers are fragile and can yellow in a few weeks, it is important to use the proper steps to maintain these historical documents.

Things You'll Need

Acid-removing aerosol spray
Archival quality container
Dry heated area
Acid-free mat and backing
UV protected glass

Instructions

- 1
  Determine whether the newspaper is printed on wood pulp or rag linen paper. Most newspapers before the Custer Massacre in 1876 were printed on rag linen. Rag linen contains no acid; wood pulp does.
- 2
  Remove the acid from wood pulp newspapers. Acid will expedite the deterioration of the paper. You can take the newspaper to a professional archivist or conservator who will de-acidify the paper for $25 to $50 a page, or you can do it yourself with a special aerosol spray.
- 3
  Unfold the newspaper so that it is completely flat, and you can see the top and bottom without turning it over. If you don't unfold the newspaper the acid will travel into the folds, eventually splitting it in half. Store the newspaper in an unfolded position.
- 4
  Store newspapers away from sunlight and moisture in archival quality, acid-free containers. Archival quality means the containers are made from materials that have no active chemicals that will leach onto the stored items.
- 5
  Store the containers in a dry, heated area, such as under the bed.
- 6
  Consider framing newspapers with an acid-free backing board and mat, and a UV protected glass. Hang the framed newspapers out of direct sunlight.

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