Conservation events are taking place across the country for Heritage Open Days, providing the opportunity to meet professional conservators and explore the specialist skills and processes used to care for historic objects and collections.
SPOTLIGHT
Behind the Scenes at the Conservation Studio
Credit. People's History Museum
Credit. David Dixon
The People’s History Museum in Manchester is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. This Heritage Open Days, the museum will open the doors to its conservation studio for a series of guided tours.
While the museum already offers a viewing window into the studio from the gallery, this event will allow visitors to get closer to the action, meet the team, and ask questions about the work they do.
Meet the Experts: Jenny van Enckevort
The tours will be run by Icon member, Jenny Van Enckevort ACR, Conservation Manager at the People's History Museum.
Jenny will speak about her role at the museum and offer a broader introduction to the conservation profession. Visitors will learn about the tools, techniques, and decision-making processes behind her work, with a close-up look at a selection of objects currently undergoing treatment. These include items from the People's History Museum's collections as well as private commissions for other organisations which provides income generation.
Making Collections Accessible
One of the highlights of the event will be a handling banner that visitors are encouraged to interact with. While the museum has many banners on open display, touching can be an issue. Although damage is rare, it is a message the museum reinforces through labelling, invigilation, and monitoring.
The team is also aware of the value of touch in enhancing the visitor experience and is actively exploring ways to make the collection more accessible. This event aims to provide controlled access to the collection, while also offering an opportunity to explain why conservators usually ask visitors to ‘please do not touch.’
Event Information
The day will take the form of three 45 minute tours behind the scenes of the conservation studio on Saturday 13 September 2025 between 10:45am and 2:45pm.
Visit the Heritage Open Days website to learn more about the event inclusing travel and accesibility information. Booking is required to secure your place on these tours. To book the event click here.