A 26-year-old from Northallerton is the newest recruit to the team at Kiplin Hall and Gardens
Sally Brooker, who has a degree in English literature from the University of York and a masters in museum studies from Newcastle University, has taken up her position as winter conservation intern.
Sally’s passion for heritage stems from a childhood spent visiting historic houses and museums with her parents. Sally explains one of the many reasons she’s delighted to be working at Kiplin Hall.
“One of the things I love most about Kiplin is the feeling of family. I’ve been visiting since I was a child and I know this family element is an important strand in the history of the house.
But it’s also important today. The volunteers and staff are described as the fifth family, after the four families who’ve owned Kiplin over the last 400 years. This intangible feeling and ethos make Kiplin extra special.
“I feel proud to play my part in taking care of the collection here. I’m so happy to have my first paid museum job here.”
Sally is an avid knitter, learning her craft from her mother’s vintage copy of a knitting hand book. Sally’s grandfather was a potter.
It is in part these creative roots that have led her to pursue a career in museum conservation, often caring for handmade objects.
Sally already has a favourite object in the Kiplin collection. An inlayed table made by Beatrice de Grey in the late 19th Century.
Beatrice was the lady of the house while married to Admiral Carpenter. She and her sisters were well known in the arts and crafts movement of the time. The table depicts a hopeful scene of the animals leaving the ark, from the story of Noah’s Ark, after the flood waters recede.
Collections officer, Cathrien Van Hak said: “We are thrilled to welcome Sally to the family here at Kiplin. We hope she’ll learn a lot during her time with us, setting her on a pathway to work with many collections in the heritage sector.
“Sally is the second winter conservation intern we’ve employed. As a recent graduate Sally brings with them the latest developments in the field from their studies.
“This role is very hands on, offering a great deal of practical experience caring for the collections during our closed season. It’s a great relationship from which both sides benefit.”
The winter conservation intern post at Kiplin is a paid position, running until March 2024. Sally has also worked as a volunteer at Preston Park Museum and Grounds in Stockton in roles including room stewarding and costumed interpretation.
Kiplin Hall & Gardens is currently closed while the house is dressed for Christmas. ‘Kaleidoscope: A Christmas of Colour’ at Kiplin opens on 1st December until the 17th, open 6 days a week, closed on Thursdays.
For more information visit www.kiplinhall.co.uk
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