3 Trusted Methods for Storing Your Old Photos

Snap! The camera shutter closes, and the scene freezes in a single picture. Photos memorialize significant milestones in our lives. Class pictures, days spent with friends, travel expeditions, and family photos line the walls of our homes. Often, we capture photos to remember a moment otherwise gone. We collect pictures, share them, and pass them down to generations after. 

As time passes, these memories become more valuable and equally delicate. Exposure to light, water, pests, frequent handling, and poor storage is detrimental to photos...

Which leads to the arising question: How can you best store old and historic photos? Below we’ve listed three trusted methods to ensure the preservation of these treasured objects. 

Store Photos in Board Boxes

A time-tested approach, using a board boxes is the simplest way to ensure protection for large quantities of photos. Photo boxes take up less room than average albums and are better at sheltering images from light, dust, and other contaminants. Board boxes are sturdy - but light - allowing them to travel easy. (Which is perfect if you plan to share the photo collection.)

You can find board boxes in various sizes to fit the organization and quantity of photos you want to store. Some board boxes come with vertical dividers - which are great for sorting photos but aren’t ideal for delicate photos. 

We recommend these short-top boxes.

Try the Sleeve-based Method 

Want to know the best thing about photo sleeves? You can view the photos without having to remove them from storage.

There's many kinds of photo sleeves to choose between: acid-free, mylar, and polypropolene... oh my! Photo sleeves can also be chosen for the condition and amount of photos required to be stored. 

Mylar sleeves are the best for delicate photos as they seal securely without risking damage. These are our favorites. 

For large quantities of photos, an album is a perfect way to go. We recommend this acid-free sleeve album.

Donate Your Photos to a Historical Society's Archives

Another option is to donate your photos to a local historical society's archives. (Yes, that includes us!) The Tower Heritage Center has a dedicated archive and research center that protects over 17,000 historic photos. Your photos would not only recieve the utmost care, but will help educate the next generation.

Both members and non-members of the The Tower Heritage Center can browse extensive physical and digital collections. Our research team assists in finding information about local businesses, property and building histories, and family genealogy.

To donate old photos to The Tower Heritage Center, contact us directly. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Parting Words

In deciding which method is best for your collection, consider the quality, ideal accessibility, available storage, and value of your photographs. We hope this post will help you preserve your photos to cherish for years to come!