Preserving history: Museum’s objects and artefacts removed for safe storage

Lincoln Museum closed for redevelopment in October and now, behind the scenes, our collections team is busy removing each artefact from the displays and storing them safely away.

Emptying the museum is delicate work. Whereas you might be imaging museum staff in stereotypical white cotton gloves, synthetic rubber gloves have actually become the new industry standard. They allow handlers to get a better grip on the objects without the risk of snagging, and are better at protecting the objects (and the wearer!) from any cross contamination.

With appropriately-gloved hands, each object is removed from its case and then taken for cleaning and conservation.

At the cleaning station, staff carefully work on each of the objects with fine-bristled brushes and a specialist vacuum.

Some of the objects were mounted in the displays using thin metal pins. At another station, staff twist out these pins to detach each object from the mount, before cleaning and conservation.

Chrissy Bird, Conservator said: “Whilst I was training, I thought I’d get to spend most of my working days looking at beautiful objects like these. But the reality is there is still a lot of staring at spreadsheets and emails on a computer screen.

“It’s so nice now to have the chance to work directly on so many of the objects that I’m here to preserve – although taking them off the mounts I’m very aware of how fragile a lot of them are!”

This careful process of decanting the museum displays puts the care of these precious artefacts at its very heart, protecting through every step of the gallery’s redevelopment.

Before any of the items came out of their cases, an initial assessment was done to see what kind of conservation work would be needed to preserve these glimpses of the county’s history for future generations.

Some of this work can take place pretty much as soon as the object has come out of the case. But many of the artefacts will undergo further delicate conservation work back at our labs, or be sent away for specialist repair, to ensure they are looking their best for the re-opening of the gallery.

As you can imagine, this takes time, and the process of removing every object from the space is expected to last until early in the New Year.

For preservation officer, Michelle Johns, this isn’t the first time she’s been hands on with all the artefacts in the museum’s displays.

“I remember the conservation work and preparation for these displays when The Collection Museum – as it was – was getting ready to open back in 2005. It’s nice to be on this journey again and getting all these items back out ready for the next chapter of Lincoln Museum.”

After cleaning and conservation work, all the objects and artefacts will be documented for movement control and sent for safe storage. Once the archaeology gallery is empty, the preparations for the new fit-out can start.

We have a new vision for the space that incorporates interactive displays to retells the story of Lincolnshire in a brand new way.

Whilst work takes place in the museum, visitors can still enjoy amazing art, activities and events over at the neighbouring Usher Gallery, and relax in the Muse Coffee Bar.

Keep up to date with the redevelopment of Lincoln Museum and what’s on at the Usher Gallery by following ‘Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery’ on Facebook and Instagram.

Lincoln Museum closed for redevelopment in October and now, behind the scenes, our collections team is busy removing each artefact from the displays and storing them safely away.

Emptying the museum is delicate work. Whereas you might be imaging museum staff in stereotypical white cotton gloves, synthetic rubber gloves have actually become the new industry standard. They allow handlers to get a better grip on the objects without the risk of snagging, and are better at protecting the objects (and the wearer!) from any cross contamination.

With appropriately-gloved hands, each object is removed from its case and then taken for cleaning and conservation.

At the cleaning station, staff carefully work on each of the objects with fine-bristled brushes and a specialist vacuum.

Some of the objects were mounted in the displays using thin metal pins. At another station, staff twist out these pins to detach each object from the mount, before cleaning and conservation.

Chrissy Bird, Conservator, said: “Whilst I was training, I thought I’d get to spend most of my working days looking at beautiful objects like these. But the reality is there is still a lot of staring at spreadsheets and emails on a computer screen.

“It’s so nice now to have the chance to work directly on so many of the objects that I’m here to preserve – although taking them off the mounts I’m very aware of how fragile a lot of them are!”

This careful process of decanting the museum displays puts the care of these precious artefacts at its very heart, protecting through every step of the gallery’s redevelopment.

Before any of the items came out of their cases, an initial assessment was done to see what kind of conservation work would be needed to preserve these glimpses of the county’s history for future generations.

Some of this work can take place pretty much as soon as the object has come out of the case. But many of the artefacts will undergo further delicate conservation work back at our labs, or be sent away for specialist repair, to ensure they are looking their best for the re-opening of the gallery.

As you can imagine, this takes time, and the process of removing every object from the space is expected to last until early in the New Year.

For preservation officer, Michelle Johns, this isn’t the first time she’s been hands on with all the artefacts in the museum’s displays.

“I remember the conservation work and preparation for these displays when The Collection Museum – as it was – was getting ready to open back in 2005. It’s nice to be on this journey again and getting all these items back out ready for the next chapter of Lincoln Museum.”

After cleaning and conservation work, all the objects and artefacts will be documented for movement control and sent for safe storage. Once the archaeology gallery is empty, the preparations for the new fit-out can start.

We have a new vision for the space that incorporates interactive displays to retells the story of Lincolnshire in a brand new way.

Whilst work takes place in the museum, visitors can still enjoy amazing art, activities and events over at the neighbouring Usher Gallery, and relax in the Muse Coffee Bar.

Keep up to date with the redevelopment of Lincoln Museum and what’s on at the Usher Gallery by following ‘Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery’ on Facebook and Instagram.

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