Kiplin Hall works with conservation team at Durham University

At Kiplin Hall, like many museums, staff and volunteers work with partners to care for the collections and offer experiences for visitors. Many people might not realise the hours of work that go on behind the scenes getting museum objects ready for display, keeping them safe, preserved, and in good condition for generations. Occasionally repairs to objects are also needed. This is always carried out by specialists.

Working with the conservation team at Durham University some of the objects from Kiplin are taken to their labs for staff and students to work on. Becoming a museum conservator requires years of study, often to and beyond a Masters level qualification, as well as experience of working on actual objects.

Vicky Garlick, from Durham University, is involved with the work being undertaken at Kiplin Hall this year. 

Items from the Kiplin Hall collection, like this helmet from the Prince of Wales Dragoon Guard, are being conservered in labs at Durham

She said: “Students from Durham University will have the opportunity to work on objects such as the interesting helmet from the Prince of Wales Dragoon Guard.

“This helmet, although in very stable condition could have some aspects of the aesthetics improved. For example, the metal components of the helmet look to have been treated using a commercial metal cleaner, such as brasso, while this does remove tarnish from the metal, it also tends to leave a residue which can look unsightly.

“So one of our students will have the task of carefully removing all of residue from the object before treating the metal in a more conservation-friendly manner to ensure a uniform appearance.

“For metals such as this, it’s also common practice to apply a protective coating to the metal as this can help to reduce future tarnish, ensuring the object requires treatment less often.”  

“Another fascinating object the conservation students at Durham University will be working on a beautiful ceramic jug, which has clearly been treated in the past. The handle on the jug is certainly not part of the original object, and residue from the handle’s material can also be found on the surface of the ceramic.

“For this object, we will x-ray the ceramic to determine just how much of the handle is a repair, as sometimes repairs such as this were built up around parts of the original material. It’s not uncommon for additional material to be added over the top of the original surface so it blends with the new material.

Are historic repairs to this ceramic jug part of its story or should it be restored to its original form?

“Additionally, the surface of the object will need to be cleaned in order to remove the reside from the surface and there could be a very interesting discussion as to whether this handle repair should be removed or not. Although not original to the object, it could now be considered part of its history and therefore something to preserve.”

Keeping the collections safe at Kiplin Hall falls to Warden, Cathrien van Hak. Her role is varied, and part of it includes caring for the collection. Constantly monitoring the environment in the house to ensure the objects are not going to be damaged.

Careful monitoring ensures that pests which can damage the collection are kept under control

The humidity (amount of water in the air) is carefully controlled with heating as changes to the humidity can damage objects.

Pests are monitored to make sure nothing is eating the collection. Objects made of natural materials such as wood, paper or textiles can be a great place for insects to live.

It’s not just the objects you see on display, but also those kept in storage behind the scenes. Everything is carefully monitored, documented and cared for.

During the closed season in the winter months Cathrien co-ordinates a huge cleaning project of the whole house with her team of volunteers. This requires scaffolding to reach the ceilings and chandeliers, and a backpack hoover.

Dust buster warden, Cathrien van Hak using the wearable backpack hoover in the museum

If you would like to get involved in helping to care for collections at Kiplin Hall please register your interest in volunteering at kiplinhall.co.uk/volunteering/ 

You can find out more about Durham University Conservation Team at https://sites.durham.ac.uk/duct-tape/  

Elements of museum conservation are also explored in a new exhibition at Kiplin opening this spring. Introducing the Annie Marchant Victorian Kitchen and Dairy Collection.

Following the government road map out of lockdown Kiplin hopes to open its grounds for Easter.