1. Home
  2. Heritage
  3. Conservation

Preserving the Archive

At Nottinghamshire archive our knowledgeable team of conservators look after the collections to preserve them for as long as possible and make them accessible to the public. The records are stored in the best environmental conditions and items are conserved for a variety of reasons using different techniques undertaken to the recognised professional standard, BS4971 2017.

Conservator replacing the binding on a book
Conservator reviewing negatives
Conservator looking at a damaged document with a magnifying glass

FAQs

Conservation preserves cultural heritage to facilitate access by the public so that it can be used, researched and displayed. This can be done through preventative care, remedial treatment, packaging, display, cleaning, repair and restoration.

We do work for organisations and individuals. People bring items in such as family bibles, photograph albums and maps to name a few, for conservation treatment and advice. We always provide a quote, and it is priced per hour, you can get in touch via email and organise a time to bring items in for us to look at.

You can contact the conservation department at Nottinghamshire Archives by email archives@inspireculture.org.uk or by phone on 0115 9581634 to ask questions. Alternatively, why not attend one of the behind the scenes tours of the archives to see the variety of work in conservation?

At Nottinghamshire Archives we have book, paper and parchment conservators. We can also make packaging that will preserve objects such as medals or glass plate negatives, and provide advice on how to best store your collections.

No two days are the same, there are many different tasks which go into preserving and treating the collection here at Nottinghamshire Archives. From monitoring the environmental condition and pest traps, to checking new accessions and writing treatment proposals for commercial projects. There are many different items that come through the conservation studio to make them accessible for the archive search room, loan or exhibition such as maps, plans, photographs, ledgers, manuscripts and charters.