This summer the Collections Team will be inviting the public to participate in Collections Care activities. Based in the museum gardens the team kicked off their series of cleaning activities in the baking sunshine.
Love History! – A view of the site chosen for cleaning our Exterior Object Collection
The museum is home to many objects which tell the story of the undersea telegraph. From tiny things like miniature cable samples to our gigantic repeaters and grapnels.
These large and very heavy objects once travelled to the bottom of the deepest oceans, boosting underwater cable signals and help with the repair of damaged communications cables. Too large to be featured in our exhibition galleries, they live within the beautiful gardens surrounding the Museum.
Over the summer months they will be receiving some well deserved TLC and the public are invited to join in. It can get messy but we will have plenty of gloves and overalls.
Greenhouse – Charlotte is getting cleaning materials ready for use
Greenhouse – Charlotte is getting a closer look at corrosion in the form of surface rust
Condition Report – Charlotte is gathering information about each individual object
All ages are welcome to join in, it is free and no booking is required. If it is too hot or wet then activities will move into the museum.
Not just for grown ups. Everyone is welcome to join in, and we’ve got adults and child sized overalls, gloves and masks.
Cleaning tools. We use a combination of wire brushes and wire wool to gently remove corrosion
Before and after. It’s a long process but you can see the difference
The activities will run every Wednesday from 23 rd July until 3rd September 2014.
If you can’t find us just ask at the main desk or if you would like more information contact the museum on 01736 810 966.
Before and after. The chain links prove quite tricky to brush as they are very heavy to turn over
Messy work. Overalls, mask and safety glasses are essential to protect against the dust and shards of corrosive metal