On August lst., 1985 the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline, Mass, USA, was affected by a flash flood. Among the materials damaged were two drawers of photographic materials, containing mounted and unmounted photographs. These included early salted paper prints, albumen prints, some with handcoloured images. The article outlines emergency and subsequent treatment carried out. Unmounted gelatine photographs were frozen (later bathed in warm water, separated and dried). Other material was carefully washed. Among factors contributing to damage were mounting techniques and materials, storage materials, clips, staples, etc., and overcrowding.