From Archaeology to Archives: Katie Duke’s Summer Internship at Revolution Data Systems
This summer, Revolution Data Systems welcomed Katie Duke as a preservation intern at our Dallas lab. With a background in cultural anthropology and archaeology, Katie brought a unique perspective to our hands-on work in conserving fragile historical documents. As she prepares to begin her master’s degree in Conservation in London, Katie reflected on her summer internship and the lessons she’ll carry forward.
A Journey from Archaeology to Preservation
Katie’s academic background began with an undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology, followed by a master’s in Archaeology. She spent several years working as an archaeologist, primarily studying artifacts, pottery, and bones. But this summer marked her transition into the world of heritage preservation—an area that focuses not just on objects, but also on documents, records, and the stories they carry.
“When you think about paper, it doesn’t last very long. But here, I’ve seen all the different chemicals, treatments, and even simple tools like knives and magnesium oxide that can extend the life of documents for another century.”
Discovering the Preservation Process
Katie’s favorite part of the internship was watching fragile, sometimes centuries-old documents come back to life. From intake of crumpled, water-damaged court minutes to ironing and restoring pages so they can be read again, she saw the entire process unfold in-house.
“To take a perishable material and transform it into something lasting—it’s really incredible. My favorite part is being able to tell a story with someone who lived in the 19th century.”
She also noted the challenges of working with materials like tape, which yellows and leaves residue on documents. While tape damage isn’t ideal, Katie appreciated how it reflects the human side of history—someone, decades ago, tried their best to repair a page, leaving their own fingerprint in the record.
Preserving History, Even the Hard Parts
One of the most powerful moments for Katie was working on an 1859 document that recorded the sale of an enslaved person in Texas.
“That was really emotional to work with, because the person in that record was the same age as I am now. It’s not easy, but it is so important to preserve and remember that history.”
Her reflection highlights why preservation matters—not just to maintain paper, but to ensure stories, even painful ones, are not forgotten.
Lessons in Teamwork and Craft
Katie quickly learned that preservation is as much about collaboration as it is about skill. Each project requires decision-making, communication, and teamwork—whether in intake, chemical treatments, or digital imaging.
“There are many ways to preserve a document, and sometimes the best approach depends on the county or the collection. Seeing how different team members have their own techniques, and learning to choose what works best for each document, was invaluable.”
She also gained experience in digital preservation tools, learning how to remove blemishes from scanned images to provide clients with both tangible restored documents and clean digital copies.
Looking Ahead
Katie leaves her internship with not only technical skills like deacidification using magnesium oxide spray—but also the practical lessons of time management, meeting deadlines, and collaborating across departments.
As she prepares for her next chapter in London, Katie shared her gratitude for the hands-on experience:
“This summer has been incredible. I have learned so much, and it’s amazing to see how conservation and art history translate into the business of preservation. These are skills I’ll carry into my career for years to come.”
Final Thoughts
At Revolution Data Systems, we are proud to support the next generation of conservation professionals like Katie Duke. Her work this summer reflects the heart of our mission: to preserve fragile documents, protect community history, and keep stories alive for future generations.
