Remember
Preserve it before it fades.
The tapes in the closet. The slides nobody has a projector for. The shoebox of photographs with her handwriting on the back. They are brought into a form your family can open any time — carefully, by hand, one item at a time.
Know roughly what you have and ready to get started? Start your project. Not sure yet? Tell me what's there and I'll help.
What I'm taking in right now
Formats in the pilot
These are the formats being preserved during the pilot, each priced per item.
- —VHS tape
- —VHS-C tape
- —DVD
- —Slide
- —Negative
- —Loose photograph (up to 8.5″ × 11″)
- —Scrapbook or photo album page
- —Document (up to 8.5″ × 11″)
- —CD
- —Vinyl record
- —Cassette tape
- —Mini cassette tape
- —Live voice recording session
Found something that isn't on this list, or something damaged, moldy or falling apart? Other formats may be possible by request. Tell me what you found and I'll answer honestly — including pointing you to a specialist when something shouldn't be handled here.
Preservation packages
Three levels of care
Signature is the one most families choose, and the one I recommend.
Preserve
Essential Preservation
Your media is converted or scanned with the right workflow for its format, quality checked, and delivered as organized digital files.
- ✓Conversion or scanning of every item you send
- ✓Quality check on each file
- ✓Delivered as clearly named digital files
Recommended
Preserve + Organize
Signature Preservation
Everything in Essential, plus the editing and organizing work — files trimmed and cleaned up where it helps, named consistently, and sorted into a folder structure your family can actually navigate.
- ✓Everything in Essential Preservation
- ✓Light editing and clean-up where it helps
- ✓Consistent naming and a folder structure that makes sense
- ✓Prepared so your family can find things without asking you
Preserve + Relive
Complete Preservation
Everything in Signature, plus a finished piece made from your preserved memories — scoped to your project so it's something you can sit down and watch or share.
- ✓Everything in Signature Preservation
- ✓A finished creative piece made from your own media, scoped to your project
- ✓Ready to watch, gift or share on delivery day
Included with every package
- ✓A USB drive sized to fit your project, with its own case
- ✓A Memory Preservation Packet with a file map, so you know what's where
- ✓“Look at the treasures we found” — a list of the moments captured along the way
- ✓Optional engraving on your drive and box
The ordering form shows per-item pricing for the package you choose and adds up a live estimate. I review your media and project details, then confirm final scope and pricing with you before any work begins.
Live voice recording
Record the voice while it's still here
Stories, letters read aloud, an interview with a grandparent, a message for someone to keep. We can record in the studio, or I can come to you — at home, or at a care facility.
You don't have to know what to ask. I bring the questions and keep it easy, and the recording is preserved alongside the rest of your family's memories.
Plan a Voice Recording
Your originals
How your things are handled
Everything is counted the day it arrives
Each item is logged and labeled, and you get that list. Nothing gets lumped together as “a box of tapes.”
Your originals come home
They are yours. They come back to you with the finished work, packed the way they arrived or better.
Nothing is thrown away
Not a cracked case, not a torn envelope, not a blank-looking tape. If something can't be saved, I tell you why.
Getting it to me
Handing your collection over
When you place a preservation order you'll schedule the day your media comes to Memory Box, and tell me roughly when you'd hope to have your originals back.
I'll drop my media off
No charge. By appointment in Washington, NC.
Memory Box picks it up
A small pickup fee applies — confirmed with your estimate.
Preserved locally in Washington, North Carolina, by appointment. Local drop-off and pickup by appointment, with mail-in welcome from further away.
Before you bring it in
How to get your collection ready
- —Gather it all in one place, even the things you're unsure about.
- —Leave albums and scrapbooks intact — don't peel photos off pages.
- —Keep any labels, envelopes and handwriting with the items.
- —Note anything fragile, moldy or water damaged so I handle it first.