Next on NOVA: "Saving the National Treasures"

http://www.pbs.org/nova/charters

Broadcast: June 13, 2006 (Repeat)

(NOVA airs Tuesdays on PBS at 8 p.m. Check your local listings as
dates and times may vary.)

Never have a few pieces of animal hide been subject to such
meticulous and expensive attention. But these aren't just any old
pieces of parchment. They are America's priceless Charters of
Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the
Bill of Rights. In "Saving the National Treasures," NOVA tells how a
seemingly simple project became a five-year, multimillion-dollar
technological odyssey. With the newly restored documents now on
display at the National Archives, NOVA offers the exclusive
behind-the-scenes story of how a team of specialists created the
gleaming high-tech encasements for the Charters, which have
experienced flaking ink, improper storage, and overexposure to light
during their long and sometimes perilous history.

Here's what you'll find online:

Inquiry & Interview

Fading Away
Color photos, old newspapers, the Declaration -- we've all seen
materials damaged by light. But what's actually happening?

A Conservative Approach
Conservators reveal what's really on the back of the
Declaration, how it felt to handle the document, and more.

Interactive & Overview

The Damage Done
On this high-resolution image, examine how two centuries of
loving but imperfect care have altered the Declaration.

Case Closed
Explore the special encasement designed to protect the
Charters of Freedom.

Also, Links & Books, the program transcript, the teacher's guide,
and a video preview.

http://www.pbs.org/nova/charters