Blue Boxes: Construction of Archival Enclosures for Textile Collections
Jean Rafael Colón Guerra
Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice
About this Item
- Title
- Blue Boxes: Construction of Archival Enclosures for Textile Collections
- Contributor Names
-
Colón Guerra, Jean Rafael (Author)
-
Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York. Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice (Degree granting institution)
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Soll, Valerie (Thesis advisor)
- Date
- 2026
- Degree Information
- M.A. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York 2026
- Department: Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice
- Advisors: Valerie Soll
- Committee members: Hilary Davidson; Brooke Carlson
- Abstract
- Boxes, trays and related enclosures are ever present in textile collections today, as they make up one of the main supports for the collected objects. By doing so, they become an intrinsic part of collections care. Although they may form only a small part in the active effort of textile preservation, every aspect of said enclosures is important to fulfil this goal. Most collections' enclosures are built with archival-quality corrugated board, commonly known as blueboard. It is this material, along with any other materials implemented, and the method of construction used, that are going to determine how successful the enclosure is going to be. Its success is defined by being safe for the objects within, and holding its physical and chemical integrity for long-term storage. Numerous discussions regarding the custom construction of enclosures are scattered through collections management and conservation sources, across different media. Most of these are not directly related to textile-based collections and do not hone-in on all the aspects of enclosures and their construction. This qualifying paper gathers the relevant information presented across the various sources, and expands on it with a particular focus on construction. This was done in such a manner that the topics build on each other to go from the basic elements to the more complex applications. The discussions begin with the chemical and physical qualities of blueboard in light of textile collections. Following this is the presentation of the common materials and tools any enclosure-maker will need, as well as an introduction of tried methods of construction. An illustrated manual supports this section. Lastly, present-day examples of the roles these enclosures play in textile collections are provided as studies. This also showcases how professionals in the field approach the use and construction of such enclosures. All this information in one singular source provides the reader with the necessary base to start constructing structurally sound and stable archival custom enclosures. Making boxes and trays for collections is an action that entails the evolution of the field, individual or institutional decisions, and both a scientific and creative approach.
- Subject
- Museum studies
- Textile research
- Fashion
- Museums--Collection management
- Museum storage facilities
- Textile fabrics
- Keyword
- Museum studies
- Textile research
- Fashion
- Blueboard
- Box-making
- Collections care
- Collections management
- Museum storage
- Textile conservation
- Rights
- In Copyright
- The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].
- This item must not be sold to any third party vendors.
- Identifier
- FIT Repository ID: etd_001070
- URN: ISBN:9798252432205
- Related Materials
- Also available from ProQuest
- Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 87-12
- Masters Abstracts International
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
Citation
Colón Guerra, J. R. (2026). Blue Boxes: Construction of Archival Enclosures for Textile Collections [Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York]. FIT Institutional Repository. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/676705
Colón Guerra, Jean Rafael. Blue Boxes: Construction of Archival Enclosures for Textile Collections. 2026. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, Master's thesis. FIT Institutional Repository, https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/676705
Colón Guerra, Jean Rafael. "Blue Boxes: Construction of Archival Enclosures for Textile Collections." Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, 2026. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/676705