Beth Baker ACR
About Me
As Senior Conservator I lead the conservation team at Wiltshire Council Conservation and Museums Advisory Service (CMAS), key players in conservation across the south west for over 40 years. Our cross discipline team of object and archive conservators are housed in purpose built facilities.
I have an excellent knowledge of both practical and preventive conservation and bring particular skill in managing the conservation needs of smaller, often volunteer run, museums. I am well practised in delivering appropriately pitched conservation and collections management training, to both staff and volunteers. Focusing on long term collections sustainability, I work with a broad range of clients from across the heritage sector, providing advice, training, preventive and remedial conservation services.
My areas of specialism and particular interest are archaeology and social history, in particular hazardous materials in objects.
Client Testimonials
AIM Pilgrim Trust Collections Care Audit Scheme in partnership with Icon:
The audit has exceeded what was expected. Being able to have a full record of collections care priorities has allowed for planning to be put in place to better schedule these. It has allowed for consideration to be taken in terms of what we can address as priorities at present, and what results of the audit, we would require a grant to achieve. This will allow us to think strategically about what to include in any future applications put forward.
Verity Anthony
Visitor Experience and Collections Manager, Cornwall’s Regimental MuseumAIM Pilgrim Trust Collections Care Audit Scheme in partnership with Icon:
The audit met our expectations, in that we secured comprehensive professional advice on our collection, gained new contacts, and received a report that will enable us to apply for further funding. We requested assistance with our policy work as we try to get accredited status, and Beth gave us detailed notes on the policies both in her report and as separate appendices. She also provided specific advice on plastics preservation – a major consideration for our collection - and pointed us towards further sources of specialist knowledge.
Jeremy Thackray
Assistant Curator, Centre for Computing HistoryBeth was appointed as conservation consultant via Wiltshire Conservation Services in 2013, to work on animal bone, human remains and ceramics on loan to English Heritage for display in the Stonehenge Visitor Centre.
I was very impressed indeed with the work [on the] Headley Stoke [skeleton] it is a really fine piece of conservation, far better than I thought you'd be able to achieve.
Beth’s work for the Stonehenge exhibition was excellent. Her diplomatic skills matched those of her conservation: and this is essential when working under pressure, with a client and a specialist whose own reputations are under scrutiny. I am delighted with her work for us: it is of the highest quality and contributes very greatly to the exhibition.
Dr. Sara Lunt
Senior Curator, English heritage (West Territory and Stonehenge)Conservation of ceramics, bamboo & stone fine decorative art pieces:
The work you have done on the objects is first class; sensitive, ethical and beautiful. Thank you so much.
Lindsey Shaw-Miller
Associate Curator, Museum of East Asian Art, BathI contracted Beth and her colleagues at CMAS to provide conservation and collections care expertise for the £1.3M refurbishment and redisplay of Bridport Museum.
The work was exemplary and included object cleaning and conservation, training of volunteers, object installation and mounting.
As part of a multi-disciplinary team of designers, fabricators, curators and other specialists, clear communication, co-operation, flexibility and the ability to work to tight deadlines were essential. Beth delivered in all these areas and I know was a valued and respected member of the team.
Following this successful project, I have continued to work with Beth and CMAS on other projects and hope to do so again in future.
