Restoring Riversdale tapestries

Thanks to the generous support of the 2024 Collections Appeal, three large hand-embroidered panels adorning the walls at Riversdale are undergoing important conservation work at International Conservation Services (ICS). Made to an original design drawn by Emily Twynam, the intricately detailed linen panels depict fruits and botanicals and were hand-embroidered by Emily’s neighbour and friend Louise Guerry de Lauret.

When the panels were removed from their frames for cleaning, the ICS team came across a surprising discovery: newspaper clippings from 1926. It is hoped this glimpse of the past may provide new information about the previously unknown date of when the panels were framed. Further repairs to the panels will be completed before they are reframed and ready for display at Riversdale once more.

A secret revealed at Everglades House & Gardens

To help alleviate flooding, over 2,000 kilograms of dirt and debris was removed from the basement of the house at Everglades House & Gardens. In the process of clearing the space a concrete dish drain that was built as part of the original house was uncovered. Hiding under 30 centimetres of infill, the existence of this original feature was previously unknown but will help to mitigate flooding in future. It’s just one example of the many fascinating discoveries of the historic houses under the care of the National Trust.

Capturing the collection at Miss Traill’s House

Situated on Wiradjuri Country in Bathurst, and numbering over 3,000 objects, the collection at Miss Traill’s House offers a rare insight into the changing history of the region over the 20th century. To preserve the site’s unique collection of furniture, horse racing memorabilia, ceramics and art, a new digitisation project is being undertaken. Funded by a MGNSW Project Grant this important project will not only capture historic items for future generations, it will also help improve access and interpretation of the collection.

A deep clean at Golden Vale

Golden Vale’s historic four-stand shearing sheds were cleared and tidied to enable future use of the structures which offer a direct link to the property’s pastoral heritage. Cleaning was also undertaken at the charming cottage built by Sir Philip Goldfinch in the 1930s in preparation for a refurbishment of the building. Currently underway, we will reveal the results of this exciting revitalisation project later this year.