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How to Preserve Letters

Preserving letters is a way to keep the past alive for future generations. Whether you have love letters from an old flame or happen to stumble upon a box of wartime memorabilia from your grandparents, preserving these letters is a way of maintaining history. As letter writing becomes more and more rare, keeping the letters that you have becomes a precious act. Think about the joy you and your family will feel in the future being able to read them.

Things You'll Need

Scanner
Archival pockets (8.5 x 11 inches)
Archival box

Instructions

- 1
  Touch the letters as little as possible. Do not attach anything to them that could harm them such as glue or paper clips.
- 2
  Scan the letters onto your computer so that you have a permanent record of them. If you do not have a scanner, take them to a office supply store where you can use scanners for a small fee. Keep them in a file on your computer and also save them onto a CD, DVD or external hard drive.
- 3
  Place the letters in separate 8.5 by 11 inch archival sleeves. These sleeves are made of special material that helps protect paper. Archival sleeves can be purchased at office supply stores or through mail order companies such as Archival Products, Gaylord Bros. and Light Impressions.
- 4
  Place the archival sleeves into an archival box where they can be stored flat. Place the box in an area that does not have a lot of humidity, such as an office or bedroom. They should not be stored in damp basements or cellars, garages, near pipes, in bathrooms or anywhere they may be accidentally damaged. Keep the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

Collecting Memorabilia