This paper critically reviews approaches to the presentation and conservation of heritage ensembles in the form of historic interiors and their collections in historic buildings. Drawing on extensive experience in UK public and private buildings, it explores how decisions, once driven by personal taste, have evolved into holistic approaches, grounded in historical evidence and research. The impact of museum standards on the development of traditional housekeeping into modern preventive conservation demonstrates how careful housekeeping may be sufficient to elevate the presentation of historic interiors, until remedial conservation can be funded. Evolving from mid-twentieth century restoration to an ideal state towards late twentieth century preservation of interiors presented as ‘as found’ time capsules with a palimpsest of layers showing wear and use, historic interiors in the UK today incorporate temporary interventions inspired by museum practice, to increase footfall and respond to modern societal concerns such as sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusivity.
Lithgow et al. (Wed,) studied this question.