Developing a Loans Service

Loan Displays on a Larger Scale

At East Sussex Art and Museum Service we have six large scale displays covering the following areas:

Inglenook Fireplace
Victorian Laundry
Anderson shelter
Large scale loan of an Inglenook fireplace
Large scale loan of a laundry room
Large scale loan of an Anderson shelter
 
 
 
19th Century Classroom
The Old Toyshop
 Amazonian Hut
Large scale loan of a nineteenth century classroom
Large scale loan of an old toyshop
Large scale loan of an Amazonian hut

These displays make a tremendous impact in schools when situated in a classroom, corridor or hall. They provide a cross-curricular resource which most classes in a primary school can benefit from. Even designing invitations to come to a classroom to see the display has proved a useful activity.

About 95% of the artefacts used in these displays are genuine, including furniture. Replicas were only made where the display demanded their use for visual or explanatory purposes.

The feature that differentiates these from most museum loans is the use of a 'scene setting' backdrop. We have evolved a system based on lightweight 75cm width door panels, available from most DIY outlets.

We join these panels together in L and T shaped configurations, usually 2 panels X 3 panels by bolting wooden battens to them along the back. We make our own corner joints to hold the shapes rigid and keep the backdrop stable.

The backdrops of some displays were hand painted with acrylic colour and were based on photographs in our collections. Large scale digital printing is now an affordable option.

We make a charge for the transport and setting up/removal by our staff which is separate from our annual subscription.

Extended use via interactive website: http://objectlessons.org.uk

Each of the displays shown here has been developed into an interactive page at our website. To try an example, follow the path: History Zone / Victorians / Victorian Laundry.

back to top

Art and Museum Service, East Sussex County Council