Marianne Kelsey K Logo

Our Mission

Marianne Kelsey is the owner and founder of Kelsey National Book & Paper Conservation. 

With over 35 years of combined staff experience, Kelsey National Book & Paper Conservation Services is committed to preserving written, printed and artistic cultural heritage artifacts so they will be available to future generations.

We are currently serving these major cities through the United States. Washington, DC – Atlanta, Georgia – San Francisco, California – Chicago, Illinois – Boston, Massachusetts – New York City, New York – Newark, New Jersey – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Phoenix, Arizona – Seattle, Washington – Minneapolis, Minnesota – Nashville, Tennessee – Virginia Beach, Virginia – Salt Lake City, Utah.

bio studio2
Artwork conservation treatment.
cropped 1366 web 682x1024 1

Our Heritage

The inspiration for Kelsey National Book & Paper Conservation was born after Marianne Kelsey spent several years working in various institutional and private practice settings.

After experiencing some of the less desirable aspects of working within a large corporate environment, Kelsey committed to founding a company based on ethical values and fostering excellence in conservation treatments and work environment.

At Kelsey National Book & Paper Conservation, each artifact is treated with the highest level of care throughout its stay in our lab.

Paper-based artifacts are evaluated and tested to determine the best conservation treatment tailored to meet both the long-term needs of the object as well as the institutional or individual owner’s objectives.

Important Milestones

2012

Founding

Marianne Kelsey founded Carolina Book & Paper Conservation in Greensboro, North Carolina.

2012

2014

Professional Associate, AIC

Kelsey was awarded the distinction of Professional Associate by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. A vacuum table and stealth suction platen were acquired for treating works of art on paper.

2014

2016

FAIC Grant Award

Kelsey was awarded a professional development grant to attend the Recovery of Wet Photographs seminar at The International Preservation Center.

2016

2017

Business Evolution

Carolina Book & Paper Conservation’s name was changed to Marianne Kelsey Book & Paper Conservation and the company became an LLC.

2017

2018

New & Expanded Business Space

The business became busy enough that two staff members were hired to help keep up with work volume and client demand. A new and expanded studio space was purchased to accommodate continued growth.

2018

2020

HUB Certified

The business became HUB certified through the state of North Carolina as a minority-owned business.

2020

2021

PaperCare Studio

Marianne Kelsey Book & Paper Conservation inherited PaperCare Studio, an Atlanta-based business owned and run by esteemed Paper Conservator Laura Goodman. Goodman originally trained with Leonora Weaver, in addition to graduating from the University of Northumbria’s Paper Conservation Master’s program.
Kelsey became an approved CAP Assessor for IMLS collections care grants via the FAIC.

2021

2022

Studio Upgrade & Business Name Change

Marianne Kelsey Book & Paper Conservation’s business name was changed to Kelsey Book & Paper Conservation. A new pivoting washing sink was installed, facilitating immersion treatments for larger artwork and maps. An adjustable light bleaching apparatus was installed above the sink, allowing expanded treatment options for works of art on paper.

2022

Our Staff

pexels-photo-1037915.jpeg

Team member

Aliquet adipiscing vivamus ultrices ipsum, commodo vitae, elit nec ipsam luctus. 

1366-web-682x1024

Team member

Aliquet adipiscing vivamus ultrices ipsum, commodo vitae, elit nec ipsam luctus. 

0
Government Referrals
0
Completed Projects
0
Scheduled Projects
0
Municipal Projects

We care about our customers

Google-reviews-5.0

Based on 52 Reviews

google_logo
Marianne was clear and consistent in her guidance of how to restore my artifact. She was not the cheapest quote, but her expertise and professionalism ultimately gave me confidence that she was the best...
Marianne was clear and consistent in her guidance of how to restore my artifact. She was not the cheapest quote, but her expertise and professionalism ultimately gave me confidence that she was the best person to do the project. The end product is excellent and I’m very pleased with her work!
 
 

Jessica Murphy

google_logo
We took my wife's family Bible that was created in the 1880's to Marianne to be restored. The size of the Bible is 12"x11"x5". Our fear prior to meeting with Mariann was that it...
We took my wife's family Bible that was created in the 1880's to Marianne to be restored. The size of the Bible is 12"x11"x5". Our fear prior to meeting with Mariann was that it might be beyond repair due to both covers detached and pages starting to come loose. We were relived to hear that she was confident in her ability to restore using the original pieces. We picked up the Bible yesterday and we completely awestruck by what Marianne had accomplished. We now have a beautiful Bible that is a family heirloom that can be passed down to future generations. Our statement to Marianne was that she is a magician as well as a conservator. The finished product is absolutely perfect. We highly recommend Marianne and her abilities.
 
 

Robert Paschka

google_logo
I found Marianne Kelsey through an internet search looking for a paper conservation specialist. My piece was a painting from East Germany executed on paper in 1968. While the piece had been stored flat...

I found Marianne Kelsey through an internet search looking for a paper conservation specialist. My piece was a painting from East Germany executed on paper in 1968. While the piece had been stored flat for many years, it has signs of acid ageing and small tears along the edges. Transport from Germany required I roll it into a drawing tube which induced a curl in the work. The painting itself gathered a bit of dirt through the years and also required cleaning.

I am happy to report that the painting is in great shape - now clean and expertly repaired and the paper acid neutralized in a process lasting over 10 months. Marianne Kelsey did a wonderful job preserving my painting! She also connected me with an experienced archival framing company that finished the project. I couldn't be happier!

Wiley Harris

google_logo
We searched carefully to find someone highly qualified to do the work we needed. We had two lithographs, one Picasso and one Chagall, that we entrusted to Marianne Kelsey to restore. The former had...

We searched carefully to find someone highly qualified to do the work we needed. We had two lithographs, one Picasso and one Chagall, that we entrusted to Marianne Kelsey to restore. The former had two tears, going into the color, and was rolled. The latter, on rice paper, had been folded and stored in abysmal conditions. She repaired the tears on the Picasso such that we have to really search to find where we think they were. It now looks gorgeous framed. The Chagall was flattened and smoothed, with most of the staining removed. We just picked it up and are thrilled with the transformation (it’s waiting to be framed). Feel safe knowing that your most prized pieces will be carefully attended by Marianne.

Kim Davis

google_logo
Marianne works with meticulous craftsmanship. She has a broad swath of experience as a book conservator both within the industry and as a personal practitioner. She is scrupulous, honest, and careful in her business...

Marianne works with meticulous craftsmanship. She has a broad swath of experience as a book conservator both within the industry and as a personal practitioner. She is scrupulous, honest, and careful in her business dealings, and her follow-through is excellent. In addition to being a skilled book conservator, she is a paper and book maker of the finest quality. I am including a photo of a book she made for me,

Linda Troop

google_logo
Marianne recently repaired and restored an important family heirloom - my Grandmother’s Beauty School Diploma from 1936. The damage it had sustained broke my heart. Marianne was professional and empathetic. She totally got how...

Marianne recently repaired and restored an important family heirloom - my Grandmother’s Beauty School Diploma from 1936. The damage it had sustained broke my heart. Marianne was professional and empathetic. She totally got how important it was to me. The final product came out better than I had hoped! She also gave me a great recommendation for framing to further preserve this important piece of my family’s history. I would recommend her without hesitation.

Desi Smith

google_logo
I used to contract Marianne when I worked at an art museum. She would do a series of book binding classes. People would come in with no experience and leave with a beautiful book...

I used to contract Marianne when I worked at an art museum. She would do a series of book binding classes. People would come in with no experience and leave with a beautiful book they were proud of! Because of her thorough and patient style people would be so thrilled with their books they would sign up for the whole series. She was great to work with and great with the patrons. She gained a loyal following! I would recommend her for any class she offers and the quality of her work is superb! She is also very kind and easy to work with.

Anne Hall

google_logo
Marianne is an accomplished conservator. When asked locally here in Richmond where I could get a heirloom vellum (parchment) indenture contract preserved and restored, she was highly recommended by staff at the Virginia (Historical)...

Marianne is an accomplished conservator. When asked locally here in Richmond where I could get a heirloom vellum (parchment) indenture contract preserved and restored, she was highly recommended by staff at the Virginia (Historical) Library.
Worth the trip to Greensboro!
Marianne kept her promises of estimate, duration and finish date. She is so meticulous and knowledgeable of different inks, fabrics and mediums.
You can tell she takes great pride in (as well she should!), and loves her work. A True Master!
★Thank you M.K.!

Don E. Moe

google_logo
Over the past few years Marianne Kelsey has helped me with two projects. She restored and preserved a nineteenth-century scrapbook, and just recently she preserved a watercolor that dates, probably, from about 1900. Both...

Over the past few years Marianne Kelsey has helped me with two projects. She restored and preserved a nineteenth-century scrapbook, and just recently she preserved a watercolor that dates, probably, from about 1900. Both items are valued highly by my family; I can’t imagine receiving better service. In Marianne we found supreme expertise as well as a level of personal care that larger shops are unable to provide.

Neil McIntyre

google_logo
Marianne is a highly skilled conservator. She's a patient listener with her clients, flexible, and passionate about her work. And her results speak for themselves. Her knowledge on paper and book making helps her...

Marianne is a highly skilled conservator. She's a patient listener with her clients, flexible, and passionate about her work. And her results speak for themselves. Her knowledge on paper and book making helps her ability to explain restoration to others unfamiliar with the anatomy of various documents. A wonderful restorer and teacher! Highly recommend.

Katherine Brelje

google_logo
In a move several years ago, my son discovered an old family Bible that was literally falling apart. It contains original family pages with hand written entries of births, marriages and deaths for several...

In a move several years ago, my son discovered an old family Bible that was literally falling apart. It contains original family pages with hand written entries of births, marriages and deaths for several generations in our family (beginning in 1823) that are in remarkable condition, but the front and back covers and parts of the spine were in really bad shape. Some parts of the covers were completely separated from the Bible, pieces of the leather on the spine had come off and some of the pages were falling out or were loose.
Marianne Kelsey did an amazing job in restoring the this family treasure! Using archival materials and her expertise as a conservator, she restored the covers and spine, mended torn pages, resewed loose pages and mounted the beautifully restored spine on the newly rebacked and restored volume. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the newly restored Bible! Now this priceless family Bible can be viewed and enjoyed by future generations in our family!
Thank you, Marianne!

Louann Clarke

google_logo
Marianne recently completed some work for us in restoring an antique lithograph. She exhibited exceptional professionalism and care in completing our project, and we were very pleased with the result. We would certainly recommend...
Marianne recently completed some work for us in restoring an antique lithograph. She exhibited exceptional professionalism and care in completing our project, and we were very pleased with the result. We would certainly recommend her for your restoration projects.
 
 

Michael Heny

google_logo
Marianne is a gifted conservator.  Her expertise in restoration is excellent.  Her willingness to listen and guide her clients in choosing the restoration best for their particular project is exceptional.  I highly recommendMarianne for your...
Marianne is a gifted conservator.  Her expertise in restoration is excellent.  Her willingness to listen and guide her clients in choosing the restoration best for their particular project is exceptional.  I highly recommend
Marianne for your project.

Barbara Lahman

google_logo
Marianne is an extremely thoughtful and talented conservator. The love and skill she has for her craft is clear in the quality of the work she does. Without hesitation, I would recommend her to...
Marianne is an extremely thoughtful and talented conservator. The love and skill she has for her craft is clear in the quality of the work she does. Without hesitation, I would recommend her to anyone.
 
 

Catherine Thomis

google_logo
I asked Maryanne to restore an 1878 volume that had deteriorated with time, both front and back covers detached along with several pages. There was damage to board edges and corners. The finished result...
I asked Maryanne to restore an 1878 volume that had deteriorated with time, both front and back covers detached along with several pages. There was damage to board edges and corners. The finished result is outstanding- the volume was rebacked and the spine remounted, pages reattached, damage to the covers were restored and the pages were treated to reduce acidity. Maryanne was very easy to deal with and very good at explaining the process and what to expect.

Glenn T

google_logo
Marianne Kelsey is a conservator. Her dedication to her work is bar none. She's attentive to details and treats each body of work is as it belongs to her own family. I have witnessed...
Marianne Kelsey is a conservator. Her dedication to her work is bar none. She's attentive to details and treats each body of work is as it belongs to her own family. I have witnessed her careful examination of documents, photos and heirlooms then restore them to natural likenesses. If you're looking for a professional conservator, I believe Marianne should be the person you call.

A. Nicole Gaines

google_logo
I have a print (43 years old) that has mildew on it from the basement. While it’s neither my favorite or of any value, it was one of the first things we bought when...
I have a print (43 years old) that has mildew on it from the basement. While it’s neither my favorite or of any value, it was one of the first things we bought when we were first married. So it definitely has sentimental value. I contacted Marianne and sent pictures. While she wasn’t able to help me, she did send me the name of someone who might can help. She was so nice and helpful. Thank you Marianne.

Lori Evans

Contact Us

Questions? Connect with us.

Please send us a quick note and we will get back to you

Kelsey National Book & Paper Conservation © 2023. All Rights Reserved
Website design by A10 Web Design, A10 CyberWorks LLC
Privacy Policy