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Archives saved from floods

Posted on 8 November 2000

Conservators who normally work preserving medieval documents at the University's Borthwick Institute of Historical Research have stepped in to rescue archives and other files damaged by floods in York's riverside business properties. Files are currently being dried out in St Antony's Hall - home to the Borthwick Institute.

Chris Webb, Acting Director of the Borthwick said: "At the moment we're working to save current business files. The problem with modern files is that neither the ink nor the paper is good quality, so the paper merges into one mass and the ink runs from one document to another."

"We have spread files all over the floor and hung some from washing lines. They are surrounded by cold air fans and de-humidifiers. Then we have to go through each file, unfolding folded papers and removing plastic wallets, spread the papers out as much as possible and keep turning the pages over to ensure every page gets dried."

"We have seven people working non-stop. We've managed to save 10 per cent of the files so far and we're confident that over the next few days, all the files we have will be saved."

Archivists at the Borthwick are able to give advice to other businesses with water-damaged documents.