At the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the gallery floor represents only a fraction of the collection. Behind the scenes, the Library & Archives preserve millions of items that document the history of flight. Many of these materials are one-of-a-kind and cannot be replaced.

Among these are more than five million photographic negatives and film reels. These formats are inherently unstable and are already deteriorating. In some cases, image detail and information are lost as they age. Digitization helps capture this content, but only about 10 percent has been completed, leaving the majority still at risk.

Preservation depends on stable environmental conditions. Paper, photographs, and film are highly sensitive to temperature, humidity, and light. Many collections arrive after years in garages or storage units and already show signs of damage. Without proper conditions, that deterioration continues and accelerates.

As the Museum prepares for the summer months, this risk becomes more immediate. Higher temperatures place additional strain on storage environments and increase the likelihood of further damage. Maintaining consistent climate control is essential to prevent additional loss.

The Museum has made significant progress, improving three of its four primary archival storage areas with upgraded shelving and environmental controls. The remaining space still requires high-density shelving and dedicated climate control to meet professional standards and ensure consistent preservation across the entire collection.

The cost to complete this final phase is clear. High-density shelving is estimated at $100,000. Climate control improvements are projected at $10,000, with an additional $40,000 required for electrical upgrades. Together, these improvements represent the final step in stabilizing the Museum’s archival storage environments.

Preservation also requires ongoing support. The Library & Archives uses approximately $20,000 annually in archival supplies to properly house and protect collections. These materials are necessary to maintain stability and reduce further damage over time.

Although this work takes place out of view, it supports everything the Museum does, including exhibitions, restoration, research, and education. When these materials are lost, the history they contain is lost with them.

Your support directly strengthens this work. Contributions fund critical improvements and help ensure that these records are preserved under stable conditions.

This history cannot be replaced once it is lost. The conditions we maintain today will determine what remains accessible in the future.