Different Approaches to Caring for Historic Collections

Abstract

The “National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty” (NT) is called upon daily to address such questions at over 300 historic houses which form part of its holdings of buildings, countryside and coast. This paper will consider five case studies which demonstrate different methods of presentation and conservation of collections in the historic house context. None are traditional museums, but all are places that are exploring new ways of thinking and may perhaps appeal to less traditional historic house audiences or be relevant to different communities. All have been the focus of internal discussion to define management and interpretative processes relevant to the individual property which place conservation and interpretation at the core of the visitor experience. All use the “real thing” as the foundation for the offer that they make, yet have been required to debate and identify what the “real thing” actually means in the context of their property.