Cleaning the range and checking for furniture beetles: Behind the scenes at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum’s annual “deep clean”

That’s exactly the level of hard work that will be going on at Eastwood’s D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum next week from 22 December as they begin their annual deep clean, which includes black-leading the range.

“Cleaning the range is by far the dirtiest job,” said Carolyn Melbourne, Museum and Collections Officer. “You need a mask, gloves and apron and still somehow you get black smudges somewhere on you. We do it yearly as part of our annual deep clean, but Lydia Lawrence, D.H. Lawrence’s mother would have done it every week.

The deep clean is part of the museum’s commitment as an accredited museum. As well as cleaning, the condition of the museum’s collection items can be assessed and a full inventory audit is undertaken. Museum staff and Volunteers will inspect and clean over 2,000 items using specialist equipment. Things they will be looking out for are signs of deterioration, such as deepening cracks in objects, flaking of veneer or paint, and the presence of insects that might damage items.

There are lots of things that will nibble, live in, or otherwise damage many of the items. Insects can be a problem because they are small and often hidden. Moths, carpet beetles, silverfish and common booklouse larvae will all make a meal out of the valuable items in the collection. Whilst many pests would have been about when Lawrence was a young man, some, like the Australian Spider Beetle only arrived in 1900.

On 18 January the Museum will be holding a special Conservation Tour, allowing people access behind the scenes of the deep clean for the first time. You will have the unique opportunity to gain experience with historic objects, and learn about the importance of their conservation. The tour will be led by the Council’s Museum Officer and D.H. Lawrence expert, Carolyn Melbourne.

“I always find the deep clean an interesting and satisfying process and I’m looking forward to sharing that with visitors. It’s going to be quite a unique opportunity for people to see what goes in to looking after a museum and its collection”, said Carolyn.

There are only a very small number of spaces on the tour so book your ticket online (opens in a new window).

The museum will re-open on 23 January 2025.

The D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum is where this literary legend was born on 11 September 1885. Only 30 minutes from Nottingham city centre, the Museum is a must see for fans of literature, and for those wanting to delve deeper into Nottingham’s literary heritage.

Step back in time to experience the traditional Victorian wash house, see the parlour; a room only for special guests, feel the warmth of the fire in the kitchen and have a wander around the parental and other bedrooms. The museum’s permanent exhibition features items from Lawrence’s family and even paintings created by the author himself.

Find out more at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/dhlawrencemuseum