THE NATIONAL TRUST MANUAL OF HOUSEKEEPING : THE CARE OF COLLECTIONS IN HISTORIC HOUSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The Manual of Housekeeping is essential reading for all those involved in the care of historic houses and their collections. Building on the success of bestselling earlier editions, this greatly expanded manual covers a wider range of subjects in greater detail and includes the very latest thinking on housekeeping theory and practice.
The National Trust gives detailed practical guidance on the care and maintenance of fragile interiors and the decorative fixtures, fittings and objects that contribute so much to their interest. In particular, this book highlights the ways in which preventative conservation measures can help reduce the need for expensive repair at a later date. It also explains how to strike the balance between the care and display of historic interiors and the provision for public access.
Written by internationally renowned specialists and produced by the National Trust, this book brings together many years of practical experience in the care of hundreds of internationally renowned historic houses and their collections.
Introduction; The historic house context - The National Trust Experience; History of housekeeping; Conservation: principles, practice and ethics; Agents of deterioration; Physical agents of deterioration; Chemical agents of deterioration; Biological agents of deterioration; Light as an agent of deterioration; Relative humidity as an agent of deterioration; Planning and managing housekeeping; Housekeeping tasks; Stonework; Mosaics and decorative tiles; Plasterwork; Painted interiors: wall paintings and painted decoration; Wallpaper; Woodwork; Floors; Floor coverings; Window glass; Metalwork; Decorative light fittings; Stone, plaster and terracotta; Ceramics; Glass,; Metals; Arms and armour; Clocks and watches; Scientific instruments; Musical instruments; Furniture; Gilded and painted wood; Lacquer and japanning; Leather; Textiles; Tapestries, carpets and rugs; Linens and whitework; Costume and accessories; Paper; Glazed framed paper and other materials; Books,; Photographs; Paintings; Portrait miniatures; Polychrome sculpture; Natural history collections; World culture collections; Archaeological collections; Plastics; Collections outdoors; Outdoor stone; Outdoor metals; Outdoor wood; Vehicles; Keeping records; Health and safety; Historic house technology; Opening historic houses; Staffing historic houses; Storage; Building work: planning and protection; Events: planning and protection; Display cases and exhibitions; Interpreting conservation; Living in historic houses; Transporting objects; Commissioning conservation work; Appendix I: Equipment store; Appendix II: Methods of housekeeping protection; Appendix III: Specialist items; Appendix IV: Suppliers; General Bibliography; Useful Organizations; About the Authors; Index