AIM Pilgrim Trust remedial conservation grant – Selly Manor Museum

Selly Manor Museum – AIM Pilgrim Trust remedial conservation grant 
£4,382 
Minworth Greaves Archives   

Minworth Greaves is a medieval timber-framed hall house dating from the 1300s, and the oldest building in Birmingham. It was rescued by chocolate manufacturer George Cadbury, who saved it from demolition and arranged for the building to be moved 12 miles from north Birmingham to be rebuilt in his garden village in 1932. Today the building is part of Selly Manor Museum and a focal point and important community centre for George Cadbury’s Bournville.

In 2016 a collection of archives, relating to Minworth Greaves being dismantled and moved was discovered, and entered the museum’s collection. The archives came to the museum in poor condition, but the AIM Pilgrim Trust Remedial Conservation Grant awarded the museum £4,832 to conserve a group of 46 plans, drawings and sketches that help to tell the story of the Minworth Greaves reconstruction.

In 2022 we marked the 90th anniversary of the remarkable project to save Minworth Greaves with a special exhibition, and these archives brought the story to life. The archives vary from original plans to detailed sketches of the structure, some of which are directly related to prominent architect William Alexander Harvey who oversaw the project. They have now been enjoyed by a new audience and displayed for the first time and will remain accessible to the public for the ongoing study and enjoyment of this important building.

The project has achieved everything we set out to. 48 archival documents received conservation, with 16 of those being prioritised for substantial treatment. All were subsequently displayed and are now accessible to the public. The conservation work made a huge difference to the items. Following the display the conserved items are now stored in our archival storage area in suitable conditions. The area is environmentally monitored and managed by museum staff.

The application process was easy to understand and straightforward. The communication has always been great and we appreciate the quick turnaround in finding out whether we have been successful. Thanks ever so much for your support, it has been a wonderful project to deliver this year and we’re very proud of the outcome.

Daniel Callicott, Heritage Manager, Selly Manor Museum (Bourneville Village Trust) 

Pictured: Minworth Greaves exhibition