Following a devastating fire at the Cuming Museum in 2013, MOLA was asked to assist with the recovery of museum artefacts and to create an accurate record of surviving building features.
'MOLA’s help made a massive difference to the recovery of the collections during our salvage operations. It’s possible we would not have recovered so much of our collection so quickly and in such remarkable condition without their methodical yet efficient approach.'
Judy Aitken, Heritage Manager, London Borough of Southwark
Our heritage consultants identified an appropriate and efficient methodology for the challenge. Building specialists undertook a programme of monitoring during the removal of charred building material and recovery of archaeological artefacts. These were referenced against the museum’s collection-inventory and made stable. The design of the salvage project has provided the Cuming museum with a solid foundation for the re-instatement of the collection and the re-opening.