How to Preserve Heirlooms, Art, & Collectibles in the Vegas Climate
Expert Tips from a Professional Art Conservator
Las Vegas is known for its extreme temperatures and dry desert air
—conditions that can silently wreak havoc on your family’s most treasured possessions.
Whether it’s a delicate watercolor, a cherished military medal, or a wedding dress passed down through generations, heirlooms deserve more than sentimental value—they deserve protection.
At Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, Inc. (FACL) in Las Vegas, we specialize in the preservation and restoration of artwork, historic items, and personal collectibles. With more than 45 years of experience, we help families like yours protect their legacy with expert guidance and conservation treatments that stand the test of time.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to
organize, store, and protect your family history items, especially in a climate like Southern Nevada’s.
Why Proper Organization Matters
The first step toward protecting your heirlooms is simply getting organized. That means sorting through items to determine what’s important—not just to you, but to your family members. What may not seem valuable to you now could become meaningful to a child, sibling, or future generation.
As art conservators, we often see irreversible damage that could’ve been avoided with better organization. Don’t let this happen to your treasures.
Expert Tip: Sort items by material (photos, ceramics, fabric, paper, etc.) and label boxes clearly—but never write directly on the item.
Climate Threats in Las Vegas: What You Should Know
Southern Nevada’s heat, low humidity, and seasonal dust storms pose unique challenges:
- Paper and photos dry out and become brittle.
- Artworks like pastels, watercolors, and ink fade or crack with light and heat exposure.
- Textiles and fabric can yellow, weaken, or attract pests.
- Ceramics and glass become fragile and break under pressure from shifting temperatures.
- Framed items can warp or suffer from UV damage.
Our lab has seen it all—from melted adhesives to sun-bleached certificates—and we know how to help you avoid it.
Storage & Display Tips by Item Type
🎨 Artwork on Paper (Watercolors, Prints, Drawings)
Rotate pieces off the wall every 6 months to reduce light exposure. Use UV-filtering glass when framing, and store in archival boxes or folders when not on display.
🖼️ Pastels, Charcoal, and Fragile Mediums
These should be stored flat and protected with acid-free interleaving. Unprotected pieces may not last another generation without intervention.
🗃️ Photos and Documents
Acidic papers (like news clippings) can destroy nearby items. Digitize originals and store them in archival-quality folders. Never store directly against wood or cardboard.
🍽️ China, Ceramics, and Collectibles
Wrap individually in acid-free tissue—not newspaper, which is highly acidic. Avoid overpacking boxes, and never place them on high shelves where they can fall in an earthquake.
🧵 Fabrics (Wedding Dresses, Military Uniforms, Linens)
Wrap in clean, unbleached muslin and store in an airy, temperature-stable space. Avoid plastic bins, which can trap moisture and emit chemicals.
🎖️ Military Medals and Awards
Display away from light and avoid wool backing (which contains sulfur and can tarnish metal). Store in archival boxes or shadow frames with neutral backing materials.
Las Vegas Emergency Preparedness for Collectibles
You might not think about disaster planning until it’s too late—but here in Las Vegas, flash floods, power outages, and even earthquakes can damage or destroy your heirlooms in minutes.
Here’s how to stay one step ahead:
- Take inventory of important items. Photograph everything and back it up to the cloud.
- Store fragile or rare items low to the ground, not on top shelves.
- Use quake wax or museum putty to anchor delicate collectibles and hanging artwork. (Search “Quake wax Scott Haskins” on YouTube for a how-to video.)
- Consider professional storage in a controlled environment, like the FACL, Inc. art storage facility.
Need Help? FACL Las Vegas Is Here for You
Whether you’re preparing for an emergency or simply want to preserve the items that matter most, FACL, Inc. Las Vegas offers expert evaluations, on-site consultations, and professional conservation services for:
- Family heirlooms and memorabilia
- Paintings, prints, and paper items
- Collectibles and antiques
- Historical documents and more
We also offer secure fine art storage in climate-stable conditions—with pest control, fire suppression, and concierge service.
📍 Serving Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson, and surrounding areas.
📞 Call us at 8055643438
📧
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Want to learn more about art conservation? Visit our educational site here!
FACL, Inc. Blog - Art Conservation Education
