Looking After Aston Hall
Introduction Aston Hall is a superb red brick mansion built 400 years ago for Sir Thomas Holte. It was lived in as a home until the nineteenth century. In 1858 Queen Victoria officially opened Aston Hall as museum. Aston Hall was the first country house to be opened for the ordinary public to visit. It has been owned, and run as a museum, by Birmingham City Council since An amazing number of people are involved in looking after Aston Hall. Students from a local school spent an afternoon discovering who does what!
Who works at Aston Hall all the time? A Curator/Manager An Assistant Curator Manager An Education Officer 2 Senior Museum Assistants Museum Assistants
The Curator/Manager at Work Planning room displays …….. …. and providing information
The Curator/Manager and Assistant Curator Manager in Their Office Researching information … …booking in coach parties… …and answering letters.
The Assistant Curator Manager at Work Protecting displays from light damage … …ordering new stock for the shop.
The Education Officer at Work Teaching school groups… …and producing teacher resources. …organising role play…
The Senior Museum Assistants at Work in the Open Season Vacuuming inside… …sweeping outside… …polishing and dusting all over the house.
The Senior Museum Assistants at Work in the Closed Season … and they check the house is securely locked and alarmed. … and re-painting walls … They do a lot of heavy cleaning including removing chewing gum …
The Museum Assistants …and someone has to clean the toilets! Greeting and helping visitors… …serving in the tearoom and shop…
Who looks after Aston Hall and its contents? Architects Pest Control Officer Safety and Security Officers Conservators Fire Officer Security Alarm Engineers Smoke Alarm Engineers Fire Service
Conservators at Work They use specialist cleaning methods … … and they are trained in a variety of professional restoration techniques.
Architects Check the Building … look for signs of insect damage. They regularly examine existing gaps and cracks … … and plan alterations fitting for a Grade I listed building.
A Pest Control Officer Visits Regularly He looks for evidence of rats and mice, and puts down poison … … he identifies insect life in the house.
Safety and Security Officers A Fire Safety Officer frequently checks the extinguishers and smoke detectors … … and the house and room alarms are serviced by a specialist security alarm company (recently floorboards were taken up to re-new the cables).
Who Keeps the Building in Good Repair? A Variety of Maintenance Contractors Glaziers Carpenters Electricians Roof contractors Graffiti Operatives
Repairs in progress … and a contractor re-news the roof tiles. Expert plasterers patch up the walls …
Dealing with Vandalism The glazier replaces broken panes … … and an operative removes graffiti.
What else happens at Aston Hall? Aston Hall By Candlelight The Asian Ladies Textile Group Book Fair Meetings Re-enactments Filming Theatre Groups Events Exhibitions
Historical re- enactments take place here and the Hall and Park are used as a background for films and television … … and there is a changing programme of exhibitions – above is a recent display of modern decorative glass. Aston Hall Hosts Lots of Events and Exhibitions … and for car rallies, book fairs and wine tasting. Fires and candles are lit for ‘Aston Hall by Candlelight’ …