Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the former home of William Shakespeare’s wife, has temporarily closed its doors for essential conservation work, per bbc.com. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) announced the closure will extend through January 31, allowing experts to conduct crucial maintenance and preservation tasks at the historic Shottery property.
“We’re conducting thorough inspections of all historic artefacts and furniture for signs of deterioration,” Amy Davis, the collections care officer, who leads the delicate operation, explained. The conservation team will employ specialised techniques, including an innovative approach to textile preservation, emphasising the importance of protecting the cottage’s precious artefacts for future generations.
In a fascinating detail of modern conservation methods, the cottage’s textiles will spend the entire maintenance period in freezers. This unconventional strategy serves a vital purpose: eliminating any dormant moth eggs or larvae that could potentially damage the historic fabrics.
“This preventive measure ensures our textiles won’t fall victim to moth damage when spring arrives,” Davis noted.
The work, which encompasses various aspects of preservation, from minor building repairs to deep cleaning of the centuries-old structure, follows the successful completion of similar works at Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, demonstrating the Trust’s comprehensive approach to maintaining these invaluable historic properties.
The cottage is scheduled to reopen its doors to visitors on February 1, ready to continue its role as a window into the personal life of the world’s most famous playwright and his family.
- Image by Sam Allard
