Issue 40 winter 23 web - Flipbook - Page 86
Windows were removed and restored and stonework
replaced. Huge sections of tile were also removed to allow
for work to the timber structure of the roof.
Over the proceeding months, new public toilets have
been fitted, the café kitchen was fitted out with commercial equipment, an access lift was installed and the
first-floor multipurpose events space has been created.
The three rooms of the Salisbury Gallery have been
completely refurbished - with a new door from the rear
garden into room three of the gallery. This will allow us
to install a newly displayed object - the Scout Motor car.
It also creates a permanent connection between the
gallery and the rear garden.
Above, the King’s Room roof space, with medieval arched
braced trussed timbers
One interesting detail is that the shaping of the flints on
the edges of the new rear door were done by leading
prehistoric flint knapper John Lord. His work will be
preserved in the museum building for generations.
The building conservation work has revealed some
interesting items. Medieval tiles from the roof have been
found with dog paw prints. These were made when the
tiles had just been formed and were left out to dry. Also
in the north wall of the building a medieval label stop was
uncovered – this was a stone carving of a woman’s face
that originally sat at the bottom of an archway for a door
or window. It probably came off the front of the building
and would have been one of a pair. It dates back to the
15th century, but was taken down during later alterations
and reused as building stone. It is now on display in the
museum.
Above, Medieval label stop found in north wall of King’s House
In June we appointed an exhibition fit out company called
Workhaus to install the new displays. They have started
work on site and will complete the exhibition fit out by
the end of the year. This will leave the museum to install
all of the objects next year with the support of professional
object mount making company Rutherford and Wheeler.
The completion of the internal base-build works means
that the new toilets, cafe and multipurpose events space
can open in the new year. The installation of the museum
objects will take until late spring so our aim is for the new
museum to open then.
Below, King’s room/former ceramics gallery – with cases removed
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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