Collection Care
The diverse collection contains paper files, books, stamps and postal history material, posters, maps, textiles, and vehicles to name just a few. As a collection designated as of outstanding national and international importance, the long-term survival, use and sustainability is one of the Museum’s main objectives.
In addition, the Royal Mail archive (being one of the oldest business archives in the world) attracts much interest from scholars, philatelists, local historians, collectors, and the general public. Making our collections accessible to all is one of our key objectives, so it is vital we do all we can to preserve them. The Conservation Studio (part of the Collections Department) is at the heart of this, managing and implementing actions from our ‘Collection Care and Conservation Plan’. This bespoke plan is the backbone of the work that the Studio undertakes and is crucial to the survival of these collections.
How we look after our collections
Conservation care activities are at the heart of what the Studio does and can be broadly split into two main areas: Preservation and Conservation.
Preservation
These are the strategies an organisation is using for the care and protection of its collections by managing the changes associated with their physical properties, storage and display environment and their use/access.
Conservation
This focuses on specific treatment methodologies which are guided by a professional code of ethics intended to protect the tangible and intangible value of any collection item.
Together preservation and conservation offer the means to prolong the life of cultural artefacts so that these objects can continue to offer their insights to future generations.
Access and Handling
Damage to objects is often associated with incorrect handling. Our conservators are on hand to provide advice and support to enable safe access to items.
This can be through adapting handling methods to the needs of each object, as well as providing protective and supportive housing. This helps to safeguard the collection from physical and chemical deterioration. Conservators are on hand to respond to all collection care enquiries and support and train staff and volunteers.
We work closely with our in-house Digitisation Studio by making items stable and accessible for photography, as well as providing handling support during the process, especially for large and complex objects.
Environmental conditions
Conservators actively manage the environment in which the collections are stored and displayed. By controlling these we can help to elongate the life of the objects. These can include:
Light
UV and visible light can be severely damaging to objects, so we limit light levels and exposure times to prevent deterioration whilst still allowing good viewing conditions.
Temperature and Humidity
Objects made of different materials prefer different conditions, so the management of mixed media collection involves compromises. For example, high humidity and temperature can create the perfect conditions for mould growth; controlling the conditions in the most sustainable way reduces the risk of deterioration.
Dust
This everyday household occurrence can contain contaminants that cause damage as well as being enticing for pests, so good housekeeping is essential for keeping items safe.
Exhibitions
All objects you see on display in the museum have been through an assessment process to make sure they are protected while being seen at their best.
Working on exhibition displays includes both preservation and conservation aspects. Conservators work closely with the curators and archivists to support the selection of objects for display, and undertake conservation treatments and mounting to ensure the collection items are supported and enjoyed.
Treating damaged objects allows visitors to appreciate and learn from them as well as stabilize the object for the future. Treatments always take into consideration the history and provenance of the object.
Display cases have been designed with features to limit potential deterioration to objects. Lighting, temperature, and humidity are all controlled in the exhibition galleries, and objects are constantly monitored to ensure no changes have occurred.
Read on
There’s more to discover about collection care in our blog, including our work on preserving letters retrieved from the shipwreck of SS Gairsoppa.
Our services
Our Conservation Studio are also able to offer their services to external clients. Find out more about who they are, what they do, and how they could help care for your collection.
