Overview:
The Postal Museum, located in Central London and operated by the Postal Heritage Trust, preserves over 400 years of postal heritage. Its archives hold Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd records, including items designated by UNESCO as of outstanding national importance. The collection includes social history artifacts, transport records, stamp artwork, posters, and films from the iconic GPO Film Unit.
The Challenge: Expanding Museum Archive Storage Solutions
Previously based in Mount Pleasant, the Archive had its collection spread across various locations. With the refurbished Postal Museum, the goal was to consolidate all museum collection storage under one roof at Calthorpe House. The challenge involved accommodating a wide variety of historical items, including boxed records, binders, rolled plans, uniforms, and artwork, in a single museum storage room while optimizing accessibility for public use.
The Approach: Tailored Museum Shelving and Storage Systems
To meet the diverse storage requirements, Whittan’s Link51 developed a comprehensive plan incorporating:
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Museum shelving systems: Mobile shelving units with 37 bases and various profiles to accommodate archival boxes, records management boxes, and bound volumes.
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Museum storage cabinets and drawers: Static shelving in the secure vault for high-value artifacts.
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Museum display shelves: Wall-mounted racks for hanging historical pictures and fine art.
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Specialised museum archive storage: Cantilever racks for rolled plans, plan chest bases, and pigeonhole shelving for textile and artifact storage.
Mobile shelving systems were split into four blocks for ease of access, with tri-spoke handwheels for operation. Tracks for the mobile units were installed on both floors of the archive, maximising storage capacity while preserving space for public use.
The Results: Enhanced Museum Collection Storage
Whittan’s integrated solution brought all museum archive storage under one roof and achieved significant efficiency:
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The secure vault and mobile shelving systems optimised the museum storage room.
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Flexible museum storage cabinets and drawers allowed for the organization of fragile and diverse artifacts.
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Wall-mounted museum display shelves provided efficient storage for artwork and prints.
Testimonial:
“Link51 demonstrated focus and perseverance to get The Postal Museum shelving contract. They quickly understood our collection and needs and came up with a simple and effective design that incorporated all our varied requirements. Their product is sturdy, well-constructed, and good value for money.” – Gavin McGuffie, Senior Archivist, The Postal Museum
Why Choose Whittan for Museum Storage Solutions?
Whittan is the UK’s leading manufacturer of steel shelving, lockers, and museum storage solutions. With factories in the UK, Whittan offers:
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Expertise in designing flexible museum storage systems.
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Continuity of supply and quick access to stock.
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Innovative solutions tailored to museum archive storage needs.
