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The Kitty Knight Questers. How interested people have helped preserve records for future Marylanders. The Historical Society of Kent County Maryland On May 21 st , 2003 27 members of the Kent County Historical Society visited the Maryland State Archives. Geddes-Piper House
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The Kitty Knight Questers How interested people have helped preserve records for future Marylanders
The Historical Society of Kent County MarylandOn May 21st, 200327 members of the Kent County Historical Society visited the Maryland State Archives Geddes-Piper House Headquarters of The Historical Society of Kent County Maryland
Ann Burris was one of the 27 visitors from the Historical Society of Kent County. Seeing how many records were in urgent need of conservation made quite an impression on her.
Kitty Knight Questersthe Kent Co. chapter ofQuesters International Ms. Burris, also a member of the Kitty Knight Questers, convinced her fellow Questers that preservation of Kent County historical records was a worthy cause. Questers International, Philadelphia Headquarters
She inquired about the possibility that the Questers could fund treatment for specific books. Eila Bennett, then President of the Kitty Knight Questers, wrote the Archives a month later, to ask how the Questers could help.
Four volumesof originalKent County Court Recordsin dire needof treatmentwere identifiedby Pat Melville
Vicki Lee, Chief Conservator, assessed their condition and proposed treatments.
Paper weakened by the effects of Iron Gaul Ink could be mended.
Mended signatures were then carefully scanned by Jill Ludlum. These scans were then transcribed by Jean Russo and Jean Elliot Russo.
The scans and transcriptions of both books are available online through the Archives of Maryland Online
The remains of this book’s original cover were preserved with the insertion of a new piece of vellum
Protective custom Phase boxes were made for both books These boxes will further protect the books from abrasion, climate change, dust…
On October 18th, the Kitty Knight Questers visited the Archives
They were an attentive audience, and enjoyed the in-depth description of treatment Mending supplies, as well as the books themselves.
During Vicki’s explanations, Jenn passed around materials. Treatment photos cycled through simultaneously.
The Questers toured the Conservation Lab, And then Stacks.
In the next few years, the Questers hope to win a grant for treatment of The other two books, from their international organization.