A reference on paper map and document conservation for Canadian home archivists.
RiverPaper.org covers practical methods for storing and preserving paper maps, topographic charts, survey plans, and technical drawings in home conditions. The focus is specifically on Canadian contexts: regional climate variation, locally available materials and suppliers, and document types commonly held by Canadian property owners and map collectors.
The content on this site draws on publicly available guidance from institutions including the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), Library and Archives Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Library of Congress. No proprietary or restricted professional knowledge is represented here.
RiverPaper is not a conservation consulting service and does not offer assessments of specific documents or collections. The information here is general reference material applicable to common storage situations. Unusual or high-value documents — those with significant monetary, legal, or historical importance — should be assessed by a qualified conservator. The Canadian Association of Professional Conservators (CAPC) maintains a directory of accredited conservators in Canada.
The site addresses three main document categories:
Canada's climate ranges from subarctic to temperate maritime, with significant variation in humidity and temperature by region and season. This site addresses storage challenges that arise in these conditions rather than assuming a stable controlled environment. The goal is practical guidance for common home situations, not laboratory-level conservation.
Content is reviewed and updated when relevant guidelines from referenced institutions are revised or when significant new information becomes available. Page-level update dates are noted at the bottom of each article.
Questions, corrections, and topic suggestions can be submitted through the contact form on the home page.
Email: info@riverpaper.org
Last updated: May 22, 2026