Have you ever revisited one of your favorite books, only to discover that bugs have turned the pages back into pulp? Or stepped on your daughter’s watercolor after it fell from the Frigidaire gallery? Whether it’s a book, a painting, or Grandmother’s china, there’s an art to preserving the items that mean the most to you. As a senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution, I practice this art every day. Throughout this story, I share tricks I’ve learned working on some of our national treasures — including Franklin Roosevelt’s desk and Archie Bunker’s chair. By showing you how to shield your treasures from threats both obvious (water, insects) and not so obvious (sweat, light), these tips will help you keep your keepsakes.