There’s been a hive of activity behind the scenes in the Griswold Room, where staff and volunteer Helen and Mary have been hard at work undertaking a detailed inventory of our circular sock machines. With a large number of machines in the collection, this is no small task- but it’s a vital one for preserving and understanding our industrial heritage.
Each machine is being carefully examined, assigned a unique museum identification number, and assessed for its condition, components, and type. This work is already revealing some fascinating differences and minor anomalies between machines, which will prove invaluable for future research.
In addition to cataloguing, Mary has commissioned beautiful wooden display stands to help showcase some of the more intricate and unusual designs. Two of the machines, made from pot metal, show signs of decay- an important reminder of the conservation challenges we face, and a valuable opportunity for learning about collection care.
Once the inventory and assessment are complete, the machines will undergo a thorough deep clean, ready to shine for our visitors and take pride of place in the museum’s displays.
This careful and time-consuming work is a brilliant example of the dedication and expertise of our staff and volunteer team- thank you, Helen and Mary!
