Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative

Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation, is a collaboration among cultural institutions, community leaders, and the public to preserve and collect African American material culture.

The concept of the Treasures project stems from the realization that the material culture of this important aspect of American history is at risk. Objects that speak to critical moments in our history reside in the homes of families and community institutions around the country — some are yet to be discovered and some may slowly deteriorate due to inadequate conservation.

Treasures will stimulate preservation activity nationwide, assist people in identifying and preserving objects of historical and cultural significance, and help to identify potential collaborations among other cultural institutions and communities across the country. To begin, Treasures programs will occur in five target cities: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; and Washington, DC.

Treasures—DC, September 13, 2008 at the Shiloh Baptist Church
Treasures—LA, July 12, 2008 at the Japanese American National Museum
Treasures—Chicago, January 19, 2008 at the Harold Washington Library Center

Treasures programs will include Preservation Classrooms to guide community participants how to best preserve the treasures they find in their attics, closets, and basements and consider the American stories their personal treasures tell. Professionals will share information with participants about how to protect photographs, wedding suits, paper documents, decorative objects, and the other personal treasures that they hold dear.

Reservations for personal treasure reviews may be made AFTER August 22, 2008. Treasures—DC will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the Family Life Center, Shiloh Baptist Church, 1510 9th Street, NW.

To reserve your 20-minute slot for Washington, DC Hometown Treasures review write to rsvpnmaahc@si.edu or call 1-888-249-8033. Space is limited. Furniture, art, rugs/carpets, or objects larger than a shopping bag will not be reviewed. Maximum of three (3) items per participant.

Your reservation will not be considered complete unless you include in your message:

• The participant’s first and last name
• What item(s) he/she will be bringing
• What time of day he/she would like to have his/her review
• Group A - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Group B - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Classroom I: Preserving Clothing and Textiles   10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
What is a "Textile" in the museum world? Rag dolls, Flags/Banners, Hats, Lace, Linens, Needlework, Quilts/Blankets, Uniforms, Upholstery/ Curtains — think fabric. Come and get some tips on how to better preserve your daughter's Christening gown, your grandmother's wedding dress, or your father's military uniform from professionals who work in the field of textile preservation.

Classroom II: Books, Photographs, and Paper Documents   11:00 AM to 11:45 PM
What kind of album is best to preserve your parent's wedding picture? Are all paper products the same? Should you keep your high school diploma on the wall in direct sunlight? Presenters will focus on preservation techniques to save and protect photographs, books, and other treasured paper documents.

Classroom III: What is Provenance?   2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
Do you know that before donating or selling a personal Treasure to a cultural institution or organization one must establish "provenance" (pronounced prov - uh - nuh - ns) of that object? Have you heard of this word before, or understand its meaning? If not, you will after this presentation on the process to establish the place of origin and the records needed to authenticate your special item(s).