The Arts Society Falmouth Heritage Project

Bartlett Research Centre and Library –Book Conservation Group

An impressive total of 875 work hours has been contributed in 2024 by the dedicated team of Arts Society Falmouth volunteers, working for the National Maritime Museum Cornwall on their large and diverse collection of over 19,000 maritime books and documents. The Group represents our Society’s longest-running volunteer project, and is now based at the Bartlett Research Centre and Library in the Museum. Starting 24 years ago in 2001, the Group remains very active. J V Bartlett CBE FREng was an eminent British civil engineer with a passion for boats who donated his collection of about 6000 books and journals, which has been augmented over the years. These include Lloyd’s Shipping Registers, nearing 300 volumes dating back to around 1790. The books and documents are available to the public for research, reference and general perusal. Two new members were enthusiastically welcomed to the team in February and are now approaching the end of their in-house training programme. The team’s valuable unpaid efforts in 2024 have resulted in 44 books being repaired, and 55 maritime magazines dating from 1930 to 1939 being preserved, among other careful work. One of the team worked on a precious exhibit on loan to the Museum for the exhibition of the 100th Anniversary of the Falmouth Sunbeam Racing Yachts. This Group receives biennial training to maintain professional standards. Congratulations go to them for their considerable contribution to our maritime heritage.