Public invited to make stonemason's marks as restoration of Scarborough's Rotunda Museum begins

The stone is cut from Hackness Rock, provided by Sir John Johnstone of Hackness Hall near Scarborough when the museum was built in 1829, and the public is invited to an open day on 8 September to learn more from the stonemasons and conservationists currently working on the building.

Along with learning the history of the museum and building, visitors will get the chance to create their own mason marks with help from a qualified stonemason, and to hear from Adam Hickey of Pinnacle Conservation who will discuss the importance of heritage conservation and the skills required to undertake work on historic buildings.

Speaking ahead of the start of the work, he said: “It’s projects such as these that allow us to continue to develop a training scheme for the advancement of the building conservation craft to ensure these skills are retained for the future.”

The open day is part of the annual Heritage Open Days festival - a day of more than 4,000 events at historical sites across England, including 780 in Yorkshire and the Humber.

A Scarborough landmark, sitting beneath the Cliff Bridge and behind the iconic Grand Hotel, the Rotunda museum was opened in 1829 after being built to a design by William ‘Strata’ Smith, the geologist credited with creating the first detailed, nationwide geological map of any country.

Smith argued that a circular space best showed off the museum’s geological exhibits.

English Heritage describes it as “one of the oldest purpose built museums in Britain still fulfilling its original role,” and as “an important part of Britain’s scientific heritage.”

The current work to the building’s exterior is funded by a grant of £256,054 from Arts Council England’s MEND (Museum Estate and Development) fund, and is expected to be finished before Christmas.

Andrew Clay, Chief Executive of Scarborough Museums and Galleries, which runs the museum alongside Scarborough Art Gallery and Woodend, says: “We are undertaking some essential conservation work to the façade of the Rotunda. It involves replacing some of the stonework where it has severely deteriorated.

“The principal section is the ornamental cornice that supports the columns at the front of the building. Long ago this was replaced with a cement compound which has compromised the surrounding masonry. Cement isn’t porous so there has been significant water retention in the stone sections above.

“The MEND project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to replace the damaged areas with new sandstone that is commensurate with the age of the building. In other words, SMG is safeguarding the central section of the Rotunda for decades to come.”

Pete Massey, Director North, Arts Council England: “Having grown up in Scarborough and enjoyed visiting the Rotunda Museum and its unique collections from childhood, I’m delighted that we have been able to support its repairs through our MEND programme so that future generations can continue to enjoy visiting.”

The free, hour-long public sessions will take place from 11am, noon and 2pm on Friday 8 September. Places are limited, and can be booked online.