Now that the museum has opened and our party dresses have been put away, it’s time to get on with the rest of the project.

Ronald and Willow condition-checking reserve collection objects

As I mentioned in my last blog, we currently display approximately 18% of our artefact collection, but what is happening to the rest of the objects in the reserve collection? Every object is in the processes of being condition checked, meaning an assessment of its condition and conservation needs are recorded. In the image above Ronald, one of our band of volunteers, is condition checking a cup using a checklist. Apart from details such as description and accession number, the form asks three main question; what condition is the object in now (A – excellent to D – poor), how stable is it (1 – stable to 4 – highly unstable) and treatment priority (1 – no treatment to 4 – urgent treatment).

This means in the next phase of the project I can prioritize objects for conservation and identify those objects requiring specialist conservation. All organic materials are put through the freezer to prevent pests such as moth being introduced into the new store.

After the assessment (and if required, freezing) has been completed the objects are given a preliminary clean and then taken into the new store. At this point Willow, our documentation and collections assistant, will find them a new home, grouping them into categories.

In this drawer foodstuffs are grouped together

SPRI has a large collection of first aid kits tailored for personal use, a surprising number of which are in tobacco tins

Of course this also means that our old store is getting emptier and emptier!

Empty shelves in the old store

Once the old store is empty, we plan to refurbish it as a large object store for items such as sledges and kayaks.

The re-opening of the new museum marks another chapter in the development of the Institute over the years.

In the Photographic Archive we have not only famous images by photographers such as Ponting and Hurley, we also have lots of ‘domestic’ images too. I thought it would be interesting to see if there were any pictures of the Institute through its transitions. Lucy, our Photographic Library Manager very kindly pointed me in the right direction and scanned the following images for me.

The original building was opened to the public in 1934. As you can see in the picture it was a rather wet day, but that didn’t deter the public. Also, you have the ubiquitous bicycle chained to the fence just to make sure you know the photograph was taken in Cambridge!

As time passed the building became too small and a new extension was added in 1968

The new extension incorporated a large Lecture Theatre on the ground floor, laboratory spaces and an extension to the Library. The top floor was originally used as a Map Room but this now houses students and lecturers, and the map collection was relegated to the basement. In the background to the right you can see the Chemistry Department Building.

With the most comprehensive collection of Polar literature in the world it was soon necessary to build yet another extension to the Library. The Shackleton Memorial Library was built under the auspices of Dr Gordon de Quetteville Robin, the longest serving director at SPRI (1958 – 1982). More information on the Library and numerous photographs taken by Dr Gareth Rees can be found elsewhere on the SPRI website.

And now, right up to date, the eighteen-month project to refurbish the Polar Museum, its stores and archives has been completed on time and on budget. The reopening of the original front door on Lensfield Road provides a welcoming entrance to visitors, with a lift for wheelchair users discreetly hidden within the new steps. Restoration and double glazing of the windows to the front of the building has improved the stability of environmental conditions within the galleries.

The new Polar Museum open to the public.