University Conservation Labs Open to Public During Festival of History
3 April 2025
Written by: Hannah McGowan
On Saturday 3 May, conservation and history fans will have the unique opportunity to see inside the University of Lincoln’s Conservation labs, in celebration of the second annual Festival of History in Lincoln.
Five groups of 15 attendees will be guided through the specialist facilities to view an array of student conservation projects being worked on in real time so that tour guests can witness conservation in action. Guests will also get to take part in a selection of hands-on activities.
The Conservation labs are run by academics and technicians who are engaged in the Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research. Many of the items being worked on in the labs are genuine historic artefacts provided by museums, historic houses, and private collections.
The University is also home to Lincoln Conservation, a consultancy which combines research, teaching, and commercial expertise. It specialises in architectural paint research and the digital and physical conservation of historic objects, decorative schemes, and buildings. The expertise of the University’s consultants has helped to inform the restoration of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel (previously known as the Midland Grand Hotel), HMS Victory, and Southwell Minster.
Henning Schulze, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Conservation, explained: “During the Festival of History you are invited to experience conservation work at the labs of the University with a short talk, a tour of the facilities and some hands-on activities – and as a special highlight you can witness conservation in action.”
Dr Lynda Skipper, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, added: “Our Conservation students are currently working towards their final year exhibition in June, and the objects that visitors can see on the tour will be featured in this exhibition.
“We’ll be sharing details about how people can visit the exhibition a bit closer to the time on our social media, and hope that people who have seen the work in progress will be able to come back and see the finished items.”
Booking is essential – to book your place, please visit: https://conservation-lincoln.eventbrite.co.uk.
The Festival of History is organised by the city’s Events in Lincoln team and the celebration will offer a variety of activities, performances and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. It is a city-wide, living history event, taking place from Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May and is open to all members of the public.
For more information about the festival, please visit: www.visitlincoln.com/lincoln-festival-of-history.