The Art Society Heritage Volunteers are teams of committed non-specialist volunteers who work under guidance to help conserve our heritage.
Training and support are available for those members wishing to take part in a Heritage Volunteer Project. Heritage Volunteers undertake projects for museums, National Trust properties, historic houses, libraries and gardens.
Examples of projects:
- On-site conservation of books, manuscripts, archives and maps
- Cataloguing documents and archival listing
- Conservation of arms and armour, medals and military silver
- Preventative conservation of textiles, replica work and creation of period costumes
- Guiding and stewarding in museums, historic houses and gardens
Details of each Society’s Heritage Projects can be found on their websites. Society website address are noted on the ‘Societies’ page.
The East Surrey Area has supported many Heritage Volunteer Projects over the years. One of the latest projects has been the creation of period costumes for Polesden Lacey, a National Trust property near Bookham.
The costumes are worn by volunteer National Trust Stewards at special events to re-create the atmosphere of the house when it was owned by the Edwardian hostess, Mrs Greville.
Volunteers from several local societies have also been working on the conservation of books at West Horsley Place, a Grade I listed manor house dating back to 1425 and is currently in the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register.
Conservation of books by volunteers from our Arts Society Reigate has also been ongoing for several years at Cranston Library which was founded on 14 March 1701. The library was the first public lending library in England. It is located in a small chamber above the vestry of the church in the parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Reigate.
The Area Heritage Volunteer Representative is responsible for co-ordinating Area projects.
If you would like further information please email: info@theartssocietyeastsurreyarea.org.uk