The working life of Museum of London

LAARC has just started a new project - LAARC Volunteer Inclusion Project. The general idea is to create more space in the archive by effective, efficient storage, using the help of 30 volunteers a week.

As well as creating space for future archives, we are also promoting inclusivity and learning opportunities and shall be running specialist workshops for volunteers.

There is a new section of these blog pages specifically for the project so have a look and see what we’re up to.

http://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/laarcvip/

As part of the project we welcome back the University of the Third Age (U3A) who shall be improving the archive for MSL87 - one of the Roman Eastern Cemetery Sites. This side of the project has its own website and can be found at:

http://laarcvipu3a.wetpaint.com/

And don’t forget our archaeology blog pages, where each month we run the object of the month competition. Click below to find out September’s winner

http://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/archaeology

 Woo hoo! LAARChaeology is taking over!!!

This year August is “Lucky Loser” month, where the three objects have all tried their luck once before, have come close but failed to win. However, now one of them will and join previous winners in December’s object of the year comp.

Follow the link to the archaeology blog to see which lucky losers are in the running and vote for your favourite. Result will be announced on Friday 5th Sept

You can find out the winner of July’s Object of the Month Competition by following the link to the archaeology blog site:

http://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/archaeology/2008/08/08/julys-winner/

July’s objects can be found on the archaeology blog pages - the winner will be revealed on Friday August 8th.

http://mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/archaeology/2008/08/01/object-of-the-month-july-08/

The London Archaeological Archive & Research Centre has one of the most successful volunteer programs within the Museum of London. Since opening in 2002, we have had over 400 volunteers of all ages, from various backgrounds and from all over the world, come and assist us in making London’s archaeological more accessible.

But it’s not all about packing objects and creating databases. Although improving the conditions of the LAARC material is a necessary task, it’s equally important to have some fun and enjoyment out of volunteering as well as learning new skills. One way in which we do this is by offering volunteers a chance to create displays relating to the site they’ve been working on.

The first of these can now be admired outside the Ceramics & Glass store at Mortimer Wheeler House. For the past 6 months, three of our long serving volunteers have been improving the accessibilty of 1986’s excavation at the site of the former Royal Mint (MIN86). The majority of its finds relate back to the medieval abbey, St Mary Graces (1350 - 1540) which stood on the site.

 A combination of private research and important archaeological artefacts from the site as well as personal favourite items (including 3 LAARC object of the month winners!), volunteers, Chris Chadwick, Sybil  Hunot & Pamla Lamb created and arranged the first of what looks set to be many excellent and informative volunteer display cases.

Next time you’re passing the stores up at Eagle Wharf Road, be sure to take a look at their work and see what they’ve put together for yourself. You can let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Each month LAARC runs an Object Of The Month competition. Three artefacts are taken from the archive’s stores and put up for public vote to decide which goes on display in the Archive’s temporary exhibition case.

Competitions take place during the final week of each month. The winning object for this month will be announced on Friday 2nd May.

This month’s choices are all lead based alloys dating from the 16th & 17th Century.

1) From Abbot’s Lane (ABO92), a seed trough that would have hung on a bird cage

2) From Braidwood Street (BRA88), a decorated child’s finger whistle

3) From Abbots Lane (ABO92), a engraved spoon, with the maker’s mark, IG

1) 2) 3)

Click Here to vote for your favourite object.

You can also view and find out more information about the objects on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laarc/sets/72157604281666414/

Finally to find out more about the sites they’re from visit our online catalogue:

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/laarc/catalogue/

Happy voting!

If you want to let us know exactly why you voted for an object, you can leave a comment below.