Report: Many items in state archives are at risk of damage
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — An assessment of the Rhode Island state archives has found that many items are at risk of damage because there isn't enough space to store them properly.
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Tuesday released the assessment by the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, Massachusetts and suggested constructing a new building for the archives.
The report says many items are at risk of damage from water, light, dust and atmospheric pollution.
An estimated 35% of the collection should be considered a high priority for conservation based on its condition, including Rhode Island's copy of the Bill of Rights.
The collection is in a rented office building in Providence.
A new building is estimated to cost $52 million. The governor included $100,000 in the fiscal 2022 capital budget for it.