Object

Yetminster Box Wagon

 

A fine example of a Dorset Box wagon, also known as a Miller’s wagon, built in Yetminster in 1912 by one of two Lashbrook brothers who were renowned local wagon builders. Built for the Vowles family farm, it remained in Yetminster until a farm sale during the 1970s when it was acquired for the museum collection.

 

Brief

To conserve and preserve as much of the original wagon as possible, in preparation for installation into a new gallery which forms part of a major refurbishment to the county museum.

 

The wagon was dismantled into its component parts and following a dry brush and vacuum, all wooden sections were treated for woodworm. Extensive surface cleaning to remove ingrained dirt particles revealed the original paintwork and lining decoration to the wagon, which was then preserved with a consolidant. During the conservation process, details of old repairs were unravelled adding to the understanding of the working life of this object. A steel clamp together with acrylic spacers were produced to hold the original broken rear axle together, along with a custom-made display mount to support the weight of the object and relieve stress points through the wooden wheels.

 

The wagon will form part of new gallery displays in the refurbished museum in Dorchester, Dorset.

 

https://dorsetcountymuseum.org/

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A blog post from the museum spotlighting conservators working on the museums collection during Covid-19 can be found here https://dorsetcountymuseum.org/conservation-of-the-yetminster-wagon/