Future proofing
Project progress at the Heritage Centre and Archives
Heritage Centre Manager, Rachel Mensforth
Maintaining the ideal environment in an archive is no small task. Archival material and historical objects require strict conditions to preserve their life. This applies universally to collections including documents, books, photographs, paintings, statues, sculptures, and textiles. If the storage environment is too humid, items can sweat, buckle, and grow mould and mildew (most pests love high humidity). If the conditions are too dry, the collection is prone to cracking and flaking (no surprises, there are a range of pests that thrive in these conditions too). The optimum condition is right in the middle and every museum and archive in the world does their very best to achieve this. Without a robust and well-kept collection, there can be no exhibitions and research projects.
After three years of operation, a decision was made to modify the climate control systems in the archives, on level 1 of the Heritage Centre. There is no standard design, and every site must tailor its equipment to suit their environment and requirements. We are now in the midst of doing just that.
At the end of January this year, we commenced the first step, labeled ‘Phase 1 – Dust Mitigation’. The most important consideration in the months of planning was protection of the collection and after many meetings, discussions, and on-site measuring, every shelving stack in Repository 1 and Repository 2 was protected by thick, dust repellent material. The second phase (creatively called ‘Building Works’) commenced on 8 February and we expect it will continue for several weeks. Contractors are currently covering work areas, prepping the ceiling spaces for the new equipment and all the while, ensuring they minimise their impact on the precious material all around them.
To reduce the Covid risk, the Heritage Centre and Archives staff are working to a hybrid model; on-site when it is safe do to so later in the project, but otherwise off-site for the immediate future. The Heritage Centre Manager is facilitating inductions, opening the Centre every morning, and securing the site in the afternoon. With the collection under wraps, services over this period are affected, but research requests will be dealt with upon return to normal operations.
The outcome will be an environment fit for purpose with the longevity of the Congregational Archives’ collection at the fore. We hope that by the end of March we can recommence business as usual and we look forward to sharing updates as this exciting new phase of our story progresses.