| Now that you have found, cleaned, cataloged, and displayed you collection you must maintain you collection. To properly maintain you collection you must be observant of the conditions of you collection. Keep all of your documentation in a safe place. Let someone else know how you have documented and cataloged your collection. If something were to happen to you will want someone else to know where everything came from. If you have stories about any specific artifact take the time to write it down and keep it with all of the documentation. This will keep the collection alive and real. These are the things that your children and grandchildren will cherish. Make sure that the humidity around your collection is not damaging any of the artifacts. If you find you have a problem with humidity them change your displays to a humidity controlled display. It you have any artifacts in a display other than durable stone and ceramics then keep them out of direct sun light. Non-durable artifacts can be damaged by direct sunlight because the glass will increase the temperature in your display and cause bleaching, cracking, and disintegration of less durable artifacts. Keep all of your artifacts and displays in a safe place. No one counts on having a flood, but if you do certain artifacts could be destroyed. If you do have a display that is flooded, take the display apart and dry all the artifacts and let them dry in a safe place. Watch all non-durable artifacts for any problems. After a few days take the display apart and redo it. Do not keep the display with the same backing because it may start to mold and destroy your artifacts. I have had a display get flooded before. This particular display had wood, bone, and shell in it. By quickly taking care of it I did not have a single artifact that was damaged. The final part of maintenance is knowing what will happen to your collection after you are gone. Many collections are thrown away, placed in the attic, or torn apart and sold after they are handed down. No matter how old you are it is best to know how others will take care of your collection. Talk to your spouse and children to see how they feel about your collection. If you have children that have moved out of the house and are responsible then give them a display. This will give you the chance to see if they are going to display it or throw it in the attic. If you do not have anyone who will take care of your collection or wants to put it on their wall, then think about donating it. Many archeological societies will give you information on this. Many museums in your area may take a donated collection and put it up for others to enjoy. |
| Maintaining Your Collection |
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