Conservation work at our museums

Within the museum service, we care for an extensive range of museum artefacts, including social history, archaeology, agriculture, ephemera, paintings and textiles.

Conservation of our artefacts involves protecting the collection in various ways to preserve as much of its original condition as possible for as long as possible. Very little restoration is carried out within the museum service, but if required to add support or help with interpretation, then measures are taken to identify this differently from the original areas of an object.

A large proportion of the materials in our collections are vulnerable to damage and deterioration due to the harmful effects of the environment, light, dirt, and pests.

Our conservation department works to ensure that our collections can be safely displayed, stored, and preserved for the future. Various methods are applied through environmental control, inert packaging, careful handling and stabilising/repairing objects using conservation-grade materials.  A large proportion of our work involves preventive conservation. 

Conservation work involves many different activities. 

• Auditing items on display and in storage
• Environmental monitoring and controls
• Packing objects for transport, storage and display
• Remedial conservation
• Integrated pest management
• Exhibition installation and mounting
• Training staff and volunteers in collection care

The Institute of Conservation, the national body for conservation of cultural heritage, provides further information on caring for artefacts and training in conservation.

• Poster of insect pests found in historic houses and museums (pdf format, 1.4Mb)