Meet Mary Hamilton French, the Associates-funded Boston Public Library's Conservation Officer. In this role, Mary conserves and preserves the rare, culturally significant materials that reside in the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections.

In a recent video produced by the Associates of the Boston Public Library, Mary shares her journey to the Library, her favorite conservation projects, and the methods she uses to protect these invaluable works.

Conservation Projects

One of Mary’s favorite projects is the conservation of The Life of St. Augustine, a centuries-old manuscript funded by the Associates. She explains the meticulous process of stabilizing and restoring this culturally significant artifact using individual Japanese paper fibers, ensuring it remains intact for future generations.

Mary also highlights her work on The Women’s Era, the first newspaper by and for Black women. She walks us through the delicate restoration process using an ultrasonic welder, allowing this popular item to be recirculated to the masses safely: digitally and in-person.

The video also offers a glimpse into Mary’s work with a medieval Latin Psalter manuscript, showcasing the humidification process to restore silk screens to preserve the delicate miniature paintings beneath.

Supporting Conservation at the BPL

The Associates of the Boston Public Library play a vital role in funding Mary’s work and numerous conservation projects. Through our grant of over a million dollars annually to support the preservation of the BPL’s Special Collections, we ensure these invaluable materials remain accessible for future generations. To help continue this important work, consider contributing to the Associates. Together, we can preserve the past for the future.

Donate here.