When working on an object or piece of furniture, the conservation team use specialist tools and techniques to carry out their work. Find out about different brushes, or how long it takes one person to wax the Great Stairs. Some of our tools are adapted to our specialist needs, such as low suction hoovers which remove dirt without damaging objects. Whatever work the conservation team does is carefully logged and catalogued as part of the ongoing history and care of Ham House.
Much of the work of the conservation team is to prevent damage happening in the first place, be it due to light, humidity or pest damage. Walk around the house and see the subtle ways we monitor the gradual process of time, monitor humidity, and record and prevent any creepy crawlies that like to nibble away at the collection we’re always working hard to protect at Ham House.
This year we have a special project monitoring the light Ham House receives. Light is one of the main causes of damage to objects - fading colours in fabrics and tapestries in particular. We’ve set up exterior and interior light monitors to check exactly how much light we are getting. The results of this will inform how we display our collection so that it can both be protected and still show its delights to all our visitors.
