People’s History Museum
Conservation of the Preston Typographical Banner
The People’s History Museum (PHM), formerly the National Museum of Labour History, is a national museum dedicated to the history of British democracy. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of historic banners and the most significant collection of political cartoons in the UK outside of the British Museum. The Pilgrim Trust was approached to help fund the cost of restoring a significant trade union banner which dates from the later 19th Century. The ‘Typographical Association Preston Branch’ banner was carried regularly from 1882 in Preston Guild processions, a unique event that has taken place every 20 years since 1179 and has been in the museum collection since 1990. There are very few banners that have survived from the middle of nineteenth century and this rare example is in need of urgent conservation before it can be displayed in the new galleries. It will be one of the first works to be conserved in the purpose-built Textile Conservation Studio. Visitors will be able to see the conservation work on the banner through a large viewing window, ensuring that the project is far more interactive than it could have been in the old setting and increasing visitors’ understanding of conservation work. The Pilgrim Trust was able to have a short film made about the project.
To watch the Film please click on the link below.
