Major Restoration Project Underway at Scarborough’s Rotunda Museum

Tuesday, 8 August 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

A major restoration project to the exterior of Scarborough’s world famous Rotunda Museum is under way – and the public are invited to find out more at an open day in September.

Scaffolding has gone up at the museum, and work on the fabric of the building is expected to start shortly and to be completed before Christmas.

The public will be able to find out more about the work at an open day on Friday 8 September, where they will be able to learn about the history of the building; hear from Adam Hickey from Pinnacle Conservation about the importance of heritage conservation and skills required to undertake the work on listed buildings; have a go at creating their own mason marks, with help from a qualified stonemason, and see hot lime and decorative art demonstrations from a Heritage Conservation specialist.

The circular museum was opened in 1829 after being built to a design suggested by William ‘Strata’ Smith, who believed that a circular space best showed off its geological exhibits. It was constructed using Hackness Rock, a sandstone provided by Sir John Johnstone of Hackness Hall on the outskirts of Scarborough. It is listed as Grade II* by English Heritage, which describes it as

‘one of the oldest purpose built museums in Britain still fulfilling its original role. As such it is an important part of Britain's scientific heritage.’

The current work is being funded by a grant of £256,054 from Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development project (MEND).

Andrew Clay, Chief Executive of Scarborough Museums and Galleries, which runs the museum alongside Scarborough Art Gallery and Woodend, says:

“We are undertaking some essential conservation work to the façade of the Rotunda. It involves replacing some of the stonework where it has severely deteriorated.

“The principal section is the ornamental cornice that supports the columns at the front of the building. Long ago this was replaced with a cement compound which has compromised the surrounding masonry. Cement isn’t porous so there has been significant water retention in the stone sections above.

“The MEND project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to replace the damaged areas with new sandstone that is commensurate with the age of the building. In other words, SMG is safeguarding the central section of the Rotunda for decades to come.”

Pete Massey, Director North, Arts Council England:

“Having grown up in Scarborough and enjoyed visiting the Rotunda Museum and its unique collections from childhood, I’m delighted that we have been able to support its repairs through our MEND programme so that future generations can continue to enjoy visiting. I’m sure William Smith would be delighted that the community to which he gave this brilliant museum is able to help conserve it for the future through open days and even have a go at hot lime rendering and stone masonry.”

Adam Hickey, Managing Director Pinnacle Conservation, says:

“We are honoured to play a part in the conservation efforts of this iconic building in Scarborough. It’s projects such as these that allow us to continue to develop a training scheme for the advancement of the building conservation craft to ensure these skills are retained for the future.”

The free, hour-long public sessions will take place from 11am, noon and 2pm on Friday 8 September. Places are limited, and can be booked via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rotunda-museum-heritage-open-day-tickets-680830310787