Archive Relocation Update

Thanks to the continuing support of Urban & Civic, we have been provided with not one but two new facilities on at Alconbury.

The core archive collections will be moving into Building 534, built in the late 1980s as the Arts and Crafts Center, and we will have an office and display space in Building 519, the 1980s Base Operations Facility. 519 will also initially house the digital collections.

Work is underway to get Building 534 tidied up inside and out before we can start moving things across.

Before


Now


Before


Now


We will require the assistance of ARG volunteers with a number of tasks prior to and during the move, so if you can help out please get in touch.

Ongoing floor cleaning, and the newly-donated A0 scanner.

It should be pointed out that for insurance reasons only fully paid up members of ARG can volunteer I'm afraid.

PJH wrote:

Paul B,

Apart from muscle power, could you identify if there are any special skills/tools etc you need from volunteers?

Thanks,

Pete

At this moment in time, we need to lift some carpet from Building 56 and relay it (glued down) in three rooms in 534.
The interior walls also need repainting before we can start moving the cabinets over.
Anyone who can assist in refitting a suspended ceiling grid would be of use too.
Outside, there's plenty of basic gardening to be done; weeds killed and pulled, paths cleared, etc.
Anyone with a petrol strimmer and/or mover would be of great assistance.

This is good news!

How waterproof is the ceiling and the roof?

Roof is in good condition and leak-free.
Any visible water staining on the walls and suspended ceiling tiles is a result of historic ingress through open/broken windows which then caused damp air conditions inside for a while.
Hygrometer monitoring shows a steady climate some 10-20% lower than external conditions.

Power and lighting are now operational in the new building.