While I acheived all of my learning objectives for the directed fieldwork, only two of them resulted in artifacts: the Seattle Water Department Central Files and the Initiatives Collection. For more information about these two projects, click on one of the links below.

Seattle Water Department Central Files

Initiatives Collection

Map Cleaning
Learning how to clean maps was not one of my learning objectives. But early in the quarter, I had the opportunity to see some document conservators work on a map, and then to try it myself. Here is the process that I learned:

1. Unroll the map on a flat surface and carefully weigh down each corner. If it is a large map, put some weights in the middle as well.


2. Use the microfiber cloths and wipe gently in one direction to get the top layer of dirt off. If the map isn't very dirty, this may be all you need to do.


3. Take a small section of the map and rub some of the ground-up eraser crumbs in a circular motion with the tips of your fingers to get more dirt off. Repeat until all sections of the map are done.


4. Using the square eraser, rub gently in one direction (not back and forth) to take off any particularly dirty spots. Use the microfiber cloths after this to smooth out any marks left behind.


5. Using a brush or gentle vaccuum, clean the crumbs and eraser leavings off of the map. Then carefully turn it over and use the microfiber cloths on the back side. Roll the map back up carefully and put it away.

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