Conservation in action

Preparing objects for display

As we get ready to share more of our collection with visitors, a dedicated team of staff and volunteers have been hard at work conserving and preparing historical objects for public display.

From eye-catching enamel signs to mid-century furniture, a variety of fascinating artefacts have been selected to take their place in our new Open Stores. This will open as part of the museum extension. Before the artefacts can be viewed by the public, each item must be carefully cleaned, treated, and assessed—a process that requires patience, skill, and a great deal of care.

Under the guidance of conservator Karen Barker and museum staff, volunteers are carrying out this important work. We caught up with some of them to hear more about their conservation journey.

We asked what kind of treatments have been carried out

Fiona Poole - talking about a Kodak film dispenser from the mid-20th century.

"I cleaned the grimy enamel on the dispenser front with T-Cut using cotton buds, then tackled the rust with wire brushes. They legs were badly corroded, so I applied rust converter to help stabilise them."

Lily Malcolm - talking about a 1960s television.

"I started with a gentle dry clean using a microfibre cloth and cotton buds to reach into the corners. When that wasn't quite enough, I used distilled water to give it a more thorough clean—always testing first!"

We asked what have people found the most interesting

Georgia Temple - talking about a 1960s television.

"I'm fascinated by how this television isn't just a piece of tech—it's also beautifully designed furniture. It really reflects a different era in home life."

Olwyn Hazelton - talking about a 1950s cooker.

"I remember seeing cookers like this in working kitchens when I was a child. It's a nostalgic object for me, and it's been interesting to engage with it in a new way."

What have you enjoyed most about conservation?

"There's something so satisfying about seeing an object come back to life. Cleaning the television and preparing it for display has been hands-on and rewarding—it's great experience for anyone interested in a museum career."

"Learning new techniques and getting involved in both the cleaning and the wider collections work has been really fulfilling. Seeing the process from start to finish has given me a new appreciation for what goes into caring for our heritage."

Thank you to volunteers Fiona, Lily, Georgia and Olwyn for their enthusiasm, dedication and over 60 hours of conservation work. Their contributions are helping to bring our collection to life and make sure these wonderful objects can be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.  

Expert Insight: From our conservator

Karen Barker, who is supporting the team with her expertise, shared her thoughts:

"One of the highlights has been watching the transformation of objects—like the Kodak film dispenser—through the volunteers' efforts. Seeing something go from rust-covered to ready for display is always rewarding."

Her top tip for anyone conserving objects at home?

"Do your research first—know what materials you're working with, and always test any cleaning method on a small, hidden area. And remember: gloves are your best friend!"