![1920 Boy Scouts Jamboree after treatment photo](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2019-07/19.136_AT_01.jpg?h=0bae56f4&itok=g9yIKQVA)
Rare Boy Scout Artifact Treated for 24th World Scout Jamboree
This week, the 24th World Scout Jamboree began at Summit Bechtel Reserve, West Virginia. The two-week educational event brings together thousands of members of the National Scout Organizations for a program full of activities, including an exhibit on the organization's history. For the past few months, NEA Paper Conservation Fellow Benjamin Kirschner treated a special artifact in preparation for this year's exhibit. This color lithograph of a cut-out Teepee award was produced for the first International Boy Scouts Jamboree in London in 1920.
![1920 Boy Scouts Jamboree award before treatment](/sites/default/files/inline-images/19.136_BT_01.jpg)
Earlier this year, the award arrived at CCAHA damp in a plastic pouch, discovered after being submerged in water for almost a year. The paper was discolored, there were tears and creases, and a large area had developed a dark green biofilm and black mold. The first step to treat this rare piece of Scout history was to air dry it in a ventilation chamber for 48 hours. Once the award was dried and the mold growth removed with a vacuum, Benjamin re-moistened the layer of biofilm accretion locally with a poultice and removed as much as possible.
![NEA Paper Conservation Fellow Benjamin Kirschner removing a dark green biofilm from a document](/sites/default/files/inline-images/_DSC2198.jpg)
After an overall surface cleaning and washing in deionized water, Benjamin tested various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solution to further reduce the mold staining.
![NEA Paper Conservation Fellow Benjamin Kirschner testing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solution](/sites/default/files/inline-images/_DSC2203.jpg)
Tears were mended with mulberry paper and wheat starch paste, small fragments were reattached, and Benjamin filled and inpainted losses in several areas.
![NEA Paper Conservation Fellow Benjamin Kirschner inpainting a 1920 Boy Scouts Jamboree award](/sites/default/files/inline-images/_DSC2295.jpg)
The results of Benjamin's work are on display at the World Scout Jamboree through Friday, August 2.