Native cellulose, the principal constituent of paper has crystalline properties. The precise nature of the crystallinity is unknown but initially flexible cellulose macromolecules become ordered by the mutual attraction of the hydroxyl groups. The ordered cellulose occurs as crystallites which can be measured by x-ray diffraction. Crystallites are relatively inert to oxidation and acid hydrolysis. Paper cellulose might become more crystalline with aging if there were more water in the air. Using a Philips diffractometer (nickel-filtered copper radiation), the crystallinity of five paper samples dating from 1700-1900, and Whatman filter paper before and after the following treatments was measured: morpholine or N-methyl pyrollidone; saturated calcium hydroxide; chlorine dioxide solution; and sodium hypochlorite. These treatments were severe, more so than in conservation, yet no measurable changes in crystallinity were observed. Results were obtained using x-ray diffraction. It was concluded that there was no evidence that routine conservations treatments (less severe than the experiments) cause crystallinity changes in paper cellulose.