Preservation assessment and condition survey of the photographic collections at the Rochester Museum & Science Center

This essay offers a description of a survey conducted between January 2006 and July 2006, of the photographic collections at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) in Rochester, New York. The survey took into consideration the approximately 40,000 photographic objects housed at RMSC. In addition, this survey evaluated the policies, practices, and conditions in the institution that affect the preservation of the collections. This essay describes the working methods used during the survey, the institution's and photographic collection's history, description of the photographic collections facility, proper preservation of photographic materials, and deterioration of photographic objects. It provides the information necessary to create an updated preservation plan and offers short and long-range goals and recommendations to the institution for its photographic collection's preservation and care.