The carriage was acquired from Tolson Museum in Huddersfield and requires extensive conservation work to stop deterioration of the canopy, leatherwork, frame and brass fittings.
Sociable carriages were so called because four passengers were able to sit face to face on two seat benches under a canopy while the coach driver had his own bench.
“When we acquired the carriage,” Fran Clarke added. “the fabric had been badly damaged by moths and other insects, the metalwork was partly corroded, and paint layers were flaking.”
Museum conservators will use a variety of specialist conservation methods in order to restore the carriage to its original condition
Fran Clarke and her colleague Kirsten Emperle will be carrying out the sociable carriage conservation project in Air and Space Hall. The public will able to watch them work and the conservators will be happy to speak to visitors about the project.
