While the museum may be closed to visitors over the winter months, it has been anything but quiet behind the scenes. Our winter closure is a vital time for care, conservation, and preparation — and this year has seen an enormous amount of thoughtful, hands-on work across the site.
In the workshops, our framework knitting frames have received some much-needed attention. The woodwork has been carefully treated, helping to preserve these historic machines for years to come, while the circulars have been patiently recalibrated to ensure they are accurate, smooth-running, and ready for demonstrations once we reopen.
Across the cottages, a deep clean has been underway from top to bottom. Tiles have been polished, cobwebs gently removed, rag rugs have been repaired, ceramics dusted and checked, and beds straightened to ensure each space looks cared for and lived-in, just as it should. The clothes we use for our school groups have been laundered and refreshed, ready to be worn once again by curious young visitors stepping back in time.
We’ve also taken the opportunity to rotate some of our displays, offering returning visitors something new to discover while continuing to tell the stories of framework knitting, domestic life, and work in the yard.
In addition to these essential tasks, training workshops have been offered for our volunteers throughout the winter closure. These have covered the museum’s cottage collections, IT skills, Frameshop walkarounds, and circular knitting — from beginner to skilled levels — ensuring our team is ready, knowledgeable, and confident when welcoming visitors back.
All of this work — much of it unseen — is essential to keeping the museum running, welcoming, and true to its history. It’s a real team effort, carried out with care, pride, and a shared love for the site and its collections.
We’re delighted to say that we’ll be reopening our doors on Wednesday 4 February from 11am, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back to see the museum refreshed, ready, and full of life once again.
