Jamie Markham is a student on the University of Lincoln’s M.A. History degree. In this post he reflects on his work volunteering at a museum dedicated to the men and women who served in and supported 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Bomber Command from 1943 until the end of the Second World War.
Ralph Weir, Senior Lecturer, Lincoln School of Humanities and Heritage
Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of volunteering with the curatorial team at Metheringham Airfield Visitors Centre, immersing myself in the fascinating world of museum preservation. As the museum transitions from its quiet but busy closing season to the bustling opening season, I have witnessed firsthand the passion, dedication, and meticulous effort that go into caring for the collection. In this article, I share my experience and highlight the hidden work of museum volunteers—the custodians of history.Â
My journey began on the first day of the closed season, meaning I was able not only to witness but also to be a part of the museum’s transformation behind the scenes. On my first day, it was made very clear to me that the site had no time to waste, and after I familiarised myself with the team, we got straight to work. The museum’s lead curator, Caterina Scott, shared photocopies of her itinerary for the closed season, outlining a plan for each week and including a box to tick once the work was completed. High expectations were set for me, as they were for the rest of the team, since handling the collection could present many difficulties if not conducted correctly. We started by moving items from the memorial room, a key part of the site, to the metal store archive, where they would be cleaned, accounted for, and organised on new shelving units for the winter. I was shown the best way to place the items into the trolley and given protective equipment, such as gloves, to ensure that there is no contamination of dirt, oils, or other substances. Since most of the items were picture frames, we placed them frame-to-frame or back-to-back to prevent shattered glass, and positioned them as they would typically be displayed while being transported. As for items such as artefacts and uniforms, I was taught to place them away from other objects, ensuring they were not stacked on top of one another and allowing space between them. Every single item was accounted for, with both its new and old locations recorded, its accession number noted, and a blue movement ticket issued to present this information.
In my second week, I was taught how to effectively and safely clean items such as picture frames and artefacts. I was given the correct brushes, cloths, and a museum vac to clean the items. Caterina emphasised that you should not “scrub” but lightly brush off any dust or debris with extremely small amounts of pressure. She also explained that one of the leading causes of damage or vulnerabilities in the collection is small pests such as moths or spiders, which leave webbing, larvae, or tiny holes in fabric or paper materials. Caterina demonstrated how to document any concerns and report them so that appropriate conservation measures could be taken. Other preventative measures include fly traps, bug traps, and mouse traps strategically placed around the museum to prevent damage to the collection. The volunteer team are very aware of the dangers, regularly check the traps, and refer to a poster on the wall in the main archive to identify pests.
I learned a new lesson each time I spent the day at the centre, honing my skills in cleaning, documentation, and artefact handling. Beyond cleaning, I also learned about proper storage techniques and how crucial they are to the integrity of the collection. Some artefacts, particularly uniforms, required acid-free tissue paper and had to be placed in archival boxes for maximum protection. Other items had to be separated from the rest of the artefacts because they contained asbestos or small amounts of radiation. Regardless of the particular item, all artefacts require careful environmental monitoring, including UV light exposure, temperature, humidity, and proper ventilation. One of the museum volunteers showed me the graphs generated by thermometers in the rooms, which track and display potential temperature fluctuations and help maintain the desired humidity levels. Despite the team’s efforts, some items still need to be sent to conservationists for professional restoration. The museum recently sent some flight jackets to the University of Lincoln, where student conservationists could assess and restore them.
Over the coming weeks, I became more involved in the museum’s inner workings, such as policies, conservation care plans, processes of accreditation, and my favourite – MODES. MODES is a system used to manage the museum’s collections, allowing for detailed cataloguing, tracking, and organising of each item. I had the opportunity to learn how to use the system, ensuring that every item was accounted for, and I became an integral part of the museum’s efficiency by working through every item that was moved over the closed period. I also came to understand that retrieval is just as important, as having quick and accurate access to an item’s information is essential for ensuring its proper care and use in exhibits or research. I was often called upon while updating the system throughout the day to access the location or accession number of an item or to find a specific object for exhibits. This system not only helps with daily management but also supports long-term conservation efforts by keeping accurate records of the history, location, and status of every item. It was fascinating to see how technology plays such a vital role in preserving the collection and making the museum’s operations more efficient.
It has been truly spectacular to see the proficiency of such a fundamental part of local history and how a museum can be stripped bare of all its items and decorations, moved, cleaned, catalogued, and then placed all back again in what is truly a matter of weeks. I owe a debt of gratitude to Caterina Scott for granting me this opportunity and to the team for their support: Ann Garrick, Beryl Taylor, Chris Goodrum, Samantha Parker, David Newman, Mike Woodward, and all of the volunteers at MAVC – the work that they do is nothing short of exceptional.