Blackpool-based preservation company, RTC, are extremely proud to be the contractor of choice to carry out basement waterproofing works within the Harris Museum, Preston, as part of the ‘Re-imagining the Harris’ project.
The basement we are working on is the art collections storage area, so a dry, stable, environment is important. To complete this project, we will be installing a ‘Type C’ Cavity Drainage Membrane system along with Perimeter Drainage Channels.
Re-imagining the Harris
The ‘Re-imagining the Harris’ project will see the Harris Museum embark on a journey which will transform the Grade I listed building and its relationships with its audiences. The project aims to establish the Harris as a cultural centre for Preston, housing the UK’s first blended museum, art gallery and library.
The Harris is one of the leading museums, galleries and libraries in the North-West, welcoming over 350,000 visitors a year. The Harris has art collections of national significance, exciting activities and events for all ages and an award-winning contemporary art programme. There you will find the Discover Preston gallery, which tells the stories of how Preston changed the world. It is also home to Lancashire’s largest library, providing lending and community history facilities as well as ICT access and community activities.
For many local people and visitors, the Harris represents Preston. Central to the city’s identity, it is the major landmark, fronting the principal public square and a focus for civic and ceremonial life. However, the Harris is much more than a monumental building; it is, and must be, a centre for Preston’s cultural and social life; a source of inspiration, of learning and enjoyment.
Visitors will be able to engage with the collections in a new way, not only in traditional galleries, but also woven into other public areas such as cafes and activity areas. The Harris’ ambition is to be a focal point for creativity, information and learning in spaces that celebrate heritage and promote wellbeing.
