The American Security & Trust Company Photograph Collection was initially processed in 2005. At this time, the images were organized into series by DC quadrant and state and listed numerically and alphabetically thereunder. The processor used the same series and organization during reprocessing.

Photographs not mounted on a notecard were originally stored in envelopes labeled with the property address. Negatives were stored in smaller labeled envelopes inside the larger envelopes. During reprocessing, the processor removed photographs and negatives from their original envelopes and placed them in protective archival sleeves. Photographs mounted on notecards were placed in clear plastic sleeves; additional unmounted photographs were covered in smaller clear plastic sleeves; and the negatives were housed in acid-free paper envelopes. A small number of photographs were originally mounted on the back of their associated notecards. In this instance, the processor made a note, removed the photograph from the mount, and covered it in a small plastic sleeve. Photographs held together with tape were carefully separated from each other and covered separately.

The processor assigned each image (photographs/negatives) a number as a unique identifier. Notecards, photographs, and folders were labeled with the collection number and image ID number. Though a note has been made for each, unknown and misidentified addresses were kept in order based on their original label. The photographs and negatives were housed separately, each in an archival box.

The following items were removed from the collection and discarded: original envelopes and one small handwritten note on a slip of paper found in the envelope for 1008 V Street NW that read, “Mr. Grimes has folder 10/3/56.”