Collections Access Grants Case Studies
The below case studies highlight the work our Collections Access Grants have enabled, focusing on outcomes and lessons learned. Browse the selection by clicking on the museum title, to gain inspiration and advice from the varying museums.
Barrowhill Roundhouse Case Study: The purpose of the MDEM grant-funded project was to provide packing and storage materials to enable the Roundhouse team to secure objects during the necessary move of the collection to a temporary location during the building conservation work. The need for the materials was an emergency requirement in response to the relocation and conservation of the collections necessitated by the HLF work. It will, however, provide similar benefits when the collection is removed to its newly refurbished location later this year and will enable us to make significant improvements in the longer term protection, care and accessibility of the objects.
Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum Case Study: We have the archives of the local paper CHAD etc including hard copies and microfiche/film. We do have an old micro-film and micro-fiche reader but neither prints anymore, we cannot get spare parts for either and we cannot use them to continue storing the CHAD hard copies onto film or micro-fiche. This has made it difficult for the users who come into the museum for information in family searching, students who are doing investigations and lawyers. At present they find the article they want and then have to take a photograph of the screen which isn’t always successful and has to then be written by hand. We could now read and print items from the micro-fiche, which enabled users a far better experience when searching the archives. It also enabled the museum to print articles relevant to displays.
The Canal Museum Case Study: Sculptor is part of the museum’s Designated collection and is included on the National Register of Historic Vessels and is a motor narrow boat built in 1935. By 1985 she had come to the end of her working life and was withdrawn from service and restored at Ellesmere Port to become part of the National Waterways Museum collection. In 1986 she was moved to the Canal Museum as a floating exhibit. In the past the approach to looking after historic boats across all CRT museums has been repair and maintenance and keeping boats in the water. This approach has become unsustainable and many boats are deteriorating. With support from the Esmee Fairbairn Collections fund we have been researching, reviewing and planning the future of the boat collection. The assessment of Sculptor informed the decision that she should be maintained within the collection as an operational vessel. It was essential that she had a conservation management plan to work to. Sculptor also has a very active volunteer team who need guidance on museum and conservation approaches to care of historic vessels and a clear plan to work to. The grant from Museum Development East Midlands enabled us to work with an accredited conservator, George Monger, to produce a conservation management plan for Sculptor.
Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum Case Study:Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum is a small, independent museum run entirely by volunteers. For the past twenty five years the Museum has had support from East Lindsey District Council who has funded two members of staff to run the Tourist Information Centre from within the Museum. In addition to their tourist information duties, they accepted entry fees to the Museum and handled shop sales. Due to stringent budget cutbacks, the council has now withdrawn this mutually beneficial arrangement. To ensure its sustainability, the Museum has to find a way of continuing to open its door to visitors on a regular basis.
From now onwards the Museum has to be self sufficient. After much research and number crunching, the directors have put in place a plan which will provide new and exciting opportunities. Two part time paid staff will be employed to work six days a week in the Reception area, from 1st April until 29th October, with Museum volunteers covering one day each week. To enable this transition to take place, updated IT equipment, a new telephone and phone connection, internet access, photo copier and printer will be required, together with appropriate licenses. Training will also be given to all personnel using this equipment.
