A grant from the Bangor Fund sustained by alumni donations and administered by the Development and Alumni Relations Office, has enabled the conservation, restoration, and digitisation of Henry T Hare’s original plans for the iconic Main University Building held at the University’s Archives and Special Collections.
Constructed between 1907 and 1911, the Grade I listed structure is a cornerstone of British architectural heritage, blending ‘Collegiate Tudor’ style with Arts and Crafts and Renaissance influences. When the original drawings by Hare were discovered, their fragile condition on tracing paper made them difficult to handle and restore. Conservation of the collection was crucial for the restoration of this iconic landmark.
The National Conservation Service (NCS), supported by the Bangor Fund, undertook the conservation, digitisation, and re-housing of the plans. Expert conservators stabilised, cleaned, and repaired the drawings, making them accessible for study and appreciation.
These digitised plans are now available as useful scale drawings and historical documents, available soon through JSTOR with enhanced catalogue descriptions thanks to a new volunteering project by a first-year undergraduate student.
