Barnsley Archives’ Conservation Programme
9th March 2023
Barnsley Archives and Local Studies have an ongoing conservation programme to ensure that the 4,000 collections in their custody can still be safely used by researchers many years, decades and centuries from now. This programme is supported by Barnsley MBC, the Friends of Barnsley Archives and Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust.
One item conserved in recent months has been a Victorian log book from Barnsley Park Road School. Log books are a primary source for the history of a school, with daily entries having been added by the headteacher. This particular log book covers the boys’ school from 1872-1926 and is rich in information about the school and the community it served.
The volume was deteriorating very badly, but specialist conservation work means that it can be easily handled by researchers now and in the future. The work has involved re-binding and cleaning, with a bespoke box being made to offer extra protection and is now in a much better condition for handling.
If you are interested in visiting the Barnsley Archives to do your own research, please book in advance by emailing archives@barnsley.gov.uk or telephoning 01226 773950.
