In 1956, the North Carolina Museum of Art opened as the first art collection purchased with funds appropriated by a state legislature. Ten years later, the Museum's education department opened the Mary Duke Biddle Gallery for the Blind, reported to be the first facility established for visually impaired persons to examine works of art by hand touching. Shortly after the Gallery opened, all visitors to the Museum were given access to its exhibits. Hundreds of objects entered the collection of the Gallery as its popularity grew. There is no indication that regular conservation maintenance was provided for the art objects. The results of such extensive handling of art objects may be estimated by professional conservators even though they may not have seen actual cases. The purpose of this paper is to share with colleagues some visual documentation of the effects with the thought that there may be useful information for those having to administer a tactile accessibility program.