A special episode highlights the preservation of unique WWII-era art at Nairn Museum.
Nairn Museum recently gained national attention by featuring in a special episode of the BBC series, ‘The Repair Shop on the Road’. This episode, which aired on January 13, highlighted the museum’s unique collection of WWII-era artwork, painted directly onto the attic walls by Polish soldiers stationed there during the war.
The episode, titled ‘Highlands – Treasure in the Attic’, was hosted by Dominic Chiesa and featured restoration expert Richard Fraser from Inverness.
The episode revealed the remarkable story behind the artwork, which had been at risk of being lost forever due to the deteriorating condition of the museum’s roof.
Founded in 1860, Nairn Museum is located in Viewfield House, a classic Regency-era building that serves as a repository for the heritage of Nairn and Nairnshire. The museum closed its doors in September 2024 for essential maintenance, with plans to reopen on March 31 this year.
Preserving the past
In a Facebook post prior to the episode’s airing, the museum shared its excitement about the project. Initially, they had sought conservation work on two historic dresses from their collection, but when a fabric conservator could not be found, the team pivoted to focus on the WWII graffiti in the attic. The museum’s attic is in dire need of repair, and while the Highland Council is undertaking minor roof work, significant renovations are still needed.
Community engagement and future hopes
Staff at Nairn Museum are optimistic that the visibility gained from the television appearance will help attract funding and support for the building’s restoration. During the episode, viewers witnessed the careful process of preserving the artwork, with curator Annie MacDonald guiding Fraser and Chiesa through the attic. MacDonald expressed her hopes of displaying the artwork to the public, emphasizing its intimate and delicate nature, and the importance of the story it tells about the Polish community’s history in the area.
Former museum manager Jenny Rose-Miller recalled her first encounter with the artwork in 2002 when a Polish soldier visited the museum and was thrilled to see the sketches still intact. The restoration process involved careful removal of the plaster surrounding the paintings, a task that Fraser approached with caution due to the risk of damaging the fragile artwork. However, with teamwork and skill, they successfully transported the pieces to Fraser’s workshop for further restoration.
As the episode concluded, the museum staff and volunteers expressed their amazement at the beauty and completeness of the recovered artworks. MacDonald remarked, “It’s absolutely stunning. I wasn’t expecting to see them as complete as they are; it’s beautiful.” This heartfelt sentiment encapsulates the museum’s mission to preserve and share the rich history of Nairn and its community.
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