2026 Museum restoration project ‘Back to life- help us restore’ involves expert restoration of artefacts to secure their future and enhance visitor experiences.
The key initiative is a specialised process that aims to return damaged, aged, or incomplete items to a visually coherent state, often focusing on structural stability. It involves cleaning, removing failed repairs, and repairing missing parts, guided by minimal intervention and ethical principles. Out of the many museum artefacts, we have selected a few as an example.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to help us with fundraising museum@southmillarts.co.uk Tel: 01279 710204
These Objects Need You!
19th Century Pritchett Roman coin box with drawers
This classic numismatic specimen cabinet was designed to protect delicate ancient silver and bronze coins. Made of wood wrapped in dark leather that is typically aged and faded, especially fragile along the corners. The chest opens to reveal multiple shallow drawers designed to hold individual coins without them rubbing against each other.
19th Portrait of unknown gentlemen by unknown artist
This beautiful oil painting is in desperate need of restoration. If we would like to display it, quite a lot of work is required, such as the varnish actively degrading, the canvas has developed stretcher bar marks and has suffered from numerous knocks and damages. The paint layers have developed a network of age cracks across the surface etc.
The work will ensure that the painting remains in a good, stable condition for its long-term future.
19th The Railway Hotel, pen and ink drawing by John D’Oyley from photograph by Arthur Archer
The historic Railway Hotel in Bishop’s Stortford, was a prominent Victorian inn opened in 1850 that closed in 1984 and was converted into residential apartments known as Thomas Haskin Court. Sir Walter Gilbey commissioned a significant extension, designed by the eminent local architect George Edward Pritchett F.S.A. and built by the well-known local firm, J. L. Glasscock and Son.
The proposed treatment would include surface cleaning to remove/lessen surface dirt, washing to remove soluble discolouration and soluble acidity, chemically stabilising the treated areas, humidifying and gently pressing the paper to flatten the creases, repairing the tears and so on….
