Lydiard House’s historic book collection will be accessible to even more people thanks to a grant from Renaissance South West.
Renaissance, which is the Museums, Libraries & Archives’ ( MLA) programme to support England’s regional museums, has awarded Swindon Borough Council £600 to provide training to the museum’s 20 volunteers, as well as improving the museum’s storage conditions.
Sophie Cummings, Collections Manager at Lydiard House said: “This award is great news for Lydiard House.
“The improvements, we make to store and care for our collections, will make it easier for researchers to use the books that Lydiard House has in store and ensure that more of our finest old books can be displayed in the Library.”
Among the important and historically significant books held in Lydiard House’s stored collections are hardbound editions of Charles Dickens novels, Victorian encyclopaedias and travel books, and an illustrated guide to the artwork of Lydiard House’s own Lady Diana Beauclerk, from the early 19th Century.
Cllr Garry Perkins, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Culture said: “Lydiard House contains many treasures and this grant will have a positive impact on the well-being of the collections that are housed there and will improve the access for staff, volunteers and visitors.”
For more details about Lydiard House and Park visit: www.lydiardpark.org.uk or call 01793 770401.