Collecting, Curating and Conserving Large Objects

STICK and Industrial Museums Scotland have prepared a paper on the Collection, Collection, Curatorship and Conservation of Large Objects.

This paper attempts to cover in the briefest form what is a large and disparate subject. However, it is hoped that it can stimulate a new confidence among museum staff and collectors in dealing with their large object collections; both on display and (often) in storage.

Importantly, conservation work should not be avoided through lack of knowledge and it is hoped that this paper can go some way in remedying that.

“Large Objects” in this context means large industrially produced objects (including road, rail air and marine transport, working or static, machine tools, machinery, prime movers, indeed parts often integral to buildings themselves such as boilers, pumps lifts and cranes) present significant challenges for the heritage sector, whether in recognised museums or private collections.