Historic Columbia offers free consultation for the preservation of flood-damaged Items

COLUMBIA, SC— In response to the recent flooding catastrophe, Historic Columbia’s Department of Cultural Resources staff is offering free consultation services for basic preservation of damaged items (paintings, family photos, furniture, and textiles, etc.). Staff will come to affected areas as resources allow. Below is a checklist to help homeowners salvage items during the cleanup.

For more information, please contact historiccolumbia.org

General points:

• Avoid drying wet things in direct sunlight!
• Use paper towels to blot off excess water. Newspapers can rub ink onto other paper.
• Un-frame works of art or photos behind glass if wet.
• Many water-damaged items can be repaired or conserved—do not be too hasty in throwing them away.
• If a stack of family photos is stuck together, put in paper towel and freeze. They can be slowly thawed out and separated later.
• Take a digital photo of printed photos if they are heavily damaged. The digital image can later be printed and the damage retouched.

Framed objects/ Works on paper/ Photographs:

• Un-frame if wet.
• Use paper towels to blot.
• Dry flat out of the direct sun.

Furniture:

• Clean mud and dirt off with paper towel and clean water.
• Avoid drying in direct sun. This will cause wood to crack, especially veneers.
• Avoid using heavy cleaning agents, such as bleach wipes, as they can strip wood of its finish.

Metal objects:

• Clean off mud/dirt with clean water.
• Dry with paper towel.
• Do not apply solvents like WD40 on sculpture or other works of art in metal.

Ceramics/ Glass:

• Clean with soap and water.
• Ceramics and glass normally do not “pick up” and hold mud and dirt. They can be cleaned.

Textiles:

• Delicate fabrics should be carefully hand washed using dye and perfume free detergent and cold, distilled water.
• Wash only as a necessity as some dyes can and will run.
• Do not wring the fabric after washing-put it between layers of clean dry towels and gently squeeze out water. Hang to dry in indirect light.

About Historic Columbia:

In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. Over the next five decades the organization, which was founded on the premise of preservation and education, would take on the stewardship of seven historic properties in Richland County. Today, the organization serves as a model for local preservation efforts and interpretation of local history. Visit historiccolumbia.org or find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram orYouTube for more details.