Kirsten Ramsay Instagram – Recently I came across this old photo taken at Uppark House in 1989, right at the beginning of my conservation career.
This National Trust House, set high on the South Downs was devastated by fire in August 1989, after a workman’s blowtorch set fire to the roof as lead work was being repaired, only two days before the work was due to be completed.
Many of the paintings and furniture were saved but lots was lost to the fire and much of the contents on the ground floor was crushed rather than burned.
Once the fire was out and deemed safe the site was divided into a grid system and the ash and rubble from each section was salvaged and placed in 3,860 labelled dustbins.
As a new conservation student at nearby West Dean College, along with conservation professionals and volunteers we picked through the bins, at times sieving the wet sludge and ash, looking for any fragments that could be identified and saved.
This system enabled even the tiniest of pieces to be salvaged.
In the background you can see the remains of the devastated house.
Image 2 shows decorative plaster being salvaged and cleaned.
The decision was made to fully restored the house, during this work many dying craft techniques had to be re learned.
The house reopened to the public in 1995
@nationaltrust @upparknt #upparkhouse @westdeancollege
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#westdeanstudent #workexperience | Posted on 15/Jul/2022 19:34:02
