Spring Street Display

Overview

In 2017 archaeological excavations were undertaken at 261-271 Spring Street, Melbourne.

This site encompasses the corner of Little Lonsdale and Spring Streets in the Melbourne CBD and forms the northern section of the ‘Little Lon’ precinct. The influx of people caused by the goldrush in the mid-1800s led to the Little Lon precinct becoming home to a variety of establishments, including the Old Governor Bourke hotel, Best’s dance hall, Anglican lay Sisterhood’s Mission Hall, Elms Family Hotel and William Blakeley’s saw and cutlery factory.

Year

2020

Client

ISPT Melbourne

Services

  • Archaeological conservation
  • Mount making

Awards

Condition

Scope

ICS carried out the conservation treatment, mount making and installation of various ceramic, glass, textile, leather and metal artefacts from this site for a new interpretive display at the Little Lon precinct.

Treatment

Treatment - Exhibition Preparation

Approximately 140 artefacts were cleaned and treated in preparation for long-term exhibition display. A holistic approach for each artefact was undertaken as follows:

  • Organic artefacts were surface cleaned, consolidated and broken fragments were refitted
  • Inorganic and composite artefacts were surface cleaned and stains were reduced
  • Ceramic and glass artefacts were surface cleaned and fragments were refitted
  • Metal artefacts were cleaned and stabilised, followed by application of a protective microcrystalline wax coating

Treatment - Mount Creation

Mounts were designed and fabricated for approximately 85 artefacts. These were a mix of clear plexiglass upright mounts for countertop displays and stainless steel mounts for vertical and horizontal displays.

Treatment - Installation

ICS carried out the on-site installation of the artefacts in their new purpose-built showcases.

Project Team

Conservation:   ICS

Interpretation:  GML Heritage

Showcases:  Diadem

Before treatment

After treatment

Testimonial

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