How to Preserve Family Letters, Antiques & Heirlooms 11/7/2025 10:00am

08 Jul 2025 1:35 PM | Anonymous member

A POP Studies program from Penobscot Marine Museum

Instructor, Cipperly Good, Richard Saltonstall Jr Curator of Maritime History

Having the opportunity to care for prized heirlooms and family letters is a great joy but also a big responsibility. Whether you're preserving your own family history or that of your community, how do you make sure you save it for the next generation? This class will briefly recap how to handle those heirlooms and where to display them in your house or historic building, as discussed in classes A2 and A3 of this series (not a prerequisite). It will then delve into cleaning techniques, proper storage or display of materials, and when to call the conservator rather than repair any damage yourself. Practice makes perfect, so bring an item that fits into a shoe box to try out the techniques we learn in class.

Topics Covered:

  • When to clean and how to clean based on composition
  • What materials to use to store or display your heirlooms and family letters
  • Do-it-yourself repairs versus calling the experts

Program Benefits:

  • Learn how to clean without hurting your heirlooms
  • Prevent mold, rust, and pest damage to your heirlooms and family letters
  • Learn when to call the experts, and when you can do it yourself

Target Audience:

  • Antiques collectors
  • Collecting Institution (Museum and Historical Society) volunteers
  • Anyone who was gifted an antique

Experience Level: Novice - Has minimal or textbook knowledge without connecting it to the practice

Program Fee: $60 (MAM Members receive 20% discount with code MAM20)

Contact Hours: 2

Delivery: Lecture/Hands on

Dates and Locations (choose one):

Friday, Nov 7, 2025
10:00am – 12:00pm
On campus, Penobscot Marine Museum

Friday, March 20, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Remote via Zoom

Friday, July 31, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Off Campus, Belfast Free Library

Contact: For more information, please contact Shelly Patten, Office Manager at 207-548-2529 or spatten@pmm-maine.org.

This is POP Studies program from the Penobscot Marine Museum.

Register: https://form.jotform.com/250435068978064

About the Instructor:

Cipperly Good (she/her) Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History

cgood@pmm-maine.org

Cipperly Good serves as the Curator at PMM, where she has been on staff since 2010. In her many roles at the Museum, Cipperly cares for, preserves, and provides access to the object, archive, and library collections. She also serves as the registrar and exhibit designer. Cipperly holds a Bachelor’s degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where she double majored in History and American Studies. She holds a Masters of Arts in Museum Studies, with a concentration in American History, from The George Washington University. Maritime museums combine Cipperly's two passions: sailing and maritime history! When not at the Museum, you will find her sailing around Penobscot Bay or cross-country skiing in Maine's woods.


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