Museum Archives: From Daily Use To Preservation

The word archive refers to both a collection of historical records and the place where the records are located. Archives contain primary source documents, i.e., letters, diaries, newspapers, important documents, and photographs. Secondary source materials are stored in the Museum’s “scrapbook,” the Vertical File. Archival records are preserved because of their cultural and/or historical value to researchers and Museum staff.

Because these materials are “one-of-a-kind,” they are carefully preserved. When handling this collection, Museum staff wear cotton gloves to avoid transferring dirt and oils. Many paper items contain acids which, over time, deteriorate the documents, so these papers are interleaved with acid-free tissue to draw out some of the acids. Registers, scrapbooks, journals, and pamphlets are preserved in acid-free covers and boxes. Photographs are kept in individual sleeves that do not react with emulsions, and negatives are stored separately.

The Museum archives, available for research, contain documents related to Las Vegas, the surrounding area, and the Rough Riders.

Pat Romero
Research Specialist