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Archive: February 2026 (2 Posts)

Two people carefully adjust the position of a shallow box holding a portrait of George Washington under the lens of a microscope.

Exceptional! Identifying Artist Materials in an Early Portrait of George Washington

Posted by: Megan Zins

In celebration of Washington’s birthday this year, learn about a special portrait of the nation’s first president. Scientists in the Library’s Preservation Research and Testing Division, working with a visiting researcher, recently discovered the use of a unique artist material in the drawing, making it a truly exceptional portrait of President George Washington.

Posted in: Heritage Science, Pigments, Preservation, Tangible Media, Tools of the Trade

Bringing Two Georges Together: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Preparing the Exhibition

Posted by: Amelia Parks

Creating an exhibition requires far more than choosing and displaying collection items. Go behind the scenes and hear from preservation staff who helped to put together the Two Georges exhibition at the Library of Congress. This blog highlights work the public rarely notices such as materials testing, object support, and environmental monitoring.

Posted in: Collections Care, Events & Outreach, Preservation