Preservationists
TASK:
You will be learning about the process used to preserve historical documents
such as the Declaration of Independence. You will study the science behind the
document preservation and the reasons for preserving the Declaration.
PRODUCT:
You will be creating, with the aid of the Decipherers, a replica of the
Declaration in an attempt to show the damage and defects that resulted from its
handling an age. You will also be creating a diagram to show how the Declaration
is preserved with a short written description of the processes and reasons for
preservation.
Proceed through the following steps. Be sure to refer to the list of resources
and use the links to Primary Sources provided:
1.
Study the Declaration of Independence as a document,
including its damage, age, defects, etc. The following will aid you:
2.
Create a diagram showing how
the Declaration is preserved. Include a card with a brief written description of
the process as well, including the science behind it, and the different ways
that damage and aging occur (why the preservation is needed).
3.
Work with the Decipherers to create a replica of the
Declaration. Be sure to include the words as well as the damage and “secrets”
found.