British Association of Friends of Museums

BAFM MEMBERS NEWS - 2

FRIENDS OF EXETER MUSEUMS and ART GALLERY
DEVON DOCUMENT DONOR CARD

The Friends of Exeter Museums and Art Gallery have flagged up the Devon Document Donor Card. The Friends of the Archives have launched this card, which is the first initiative of its kind in Britain aimed at stopping the loss of our historic written heritage. The intention is to end the needless destruction of valuable documents during house clearances, when heirs and executors often do not have sufficient time to read through the great accumulation of papers; some important ones are often unknowingly destroyed. This card aims to pre-empt that process. Details of the card are available from the Devon Record Office and Plymouth and West Devon and North Devon Record Offices, as well as from local libraries.

FRIENDS OF STRAWBERRY HILL
RESTORATION NEARS COMPLETION

Strawberry Hill, the iconic 18th century Gothic castle created by Horace Walpole, will open its doors once again to visitors in September this year, following a multi-million pound restoration. Under the close supervision of Inskip & Jenkins Architects, with funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, this will be the most important restoration project to open in 2010.

Prior to the start of the restoration work, which is being carried out by E. Bowman and Sons, every inch of the building was investigated and experts in painted glass, wallpaper, paint and textiles consulted so that a full and detailed schedule of works could be drawn up. During the investigative work all sorts of surprises were revealed – under the floorboards, behind the walls and inside cupboards hidden treasures were unearthed and then carefully measured, recorded, wrapped and labelled by a jolly group of volunteers of the Friends of Strawberry Hill under the guidance of Anna Chalcraft. A fragment of pottery with a beautifully painted auricula in red, yellow and green, a piece of wallpaper showing a red ripe cherry, fragments of blue and white porcelain, a perfectly preserved stoneware inkwell have all been discovered. And THE BONES! Small brittle bones, large limb like bones, knuckles and a vertebra or two add a more sinister note to the cache. They may once have been tasty treats hidden by Walpole’s dog or perhaps . . ?

A small section of Walpole’s original 1760s lime wash render was also discovered sandwiched between the original 17th century house and the Long Gallery extension. The mix has been analysed so that the new render will be historically accurate; and along with the reinstatement of the timber pinnacles to the roof, the 18th century drama will return to Strawberry Hill.
A total of 356 metres of jacquard worsted damask have been woven in Lancashire for the walls of the magnificent Long Gallery. The natural ecru colour of the wool has been dyed crimson to match Walpole’s original colour, creating, once again, a strong contrast to other very monochrome, very Gothic interiors. The 450 pieces of renaissance glass that Walpole had assembled for his windows at Strawberry Hill have all been removed for painstaking restoration. They will return to their original positions to once again dazzle visitors.

With a new cafe housed in what would have been Walpole’s Great Cloister opening onto the restored gardens, a new shop, two fully equipped education rooms and a museum space, Strawberry Hill will once again be able to offer visitors a treat. It will be a splendid location for special events, corporate parties and civil ceremonies. The new Discovery Room will reveal the three centuries of the building’s development and there will be an introductory film documenting the restoration. Guided tours will be available for pre-booked groups in keeping with Walpole’s tradition of showing his ‘little Gothic castle’ to visitors.

For more information please go to:
www.friendsofstrawberryhill.org

or email: tours@friendsofstrawberryhill.org

or ring: 02088 986 786.