Historic hospital sign preserved

The centre houses buildings records, archives and museums

An ageing wooden sign that once helped people find a Wiltshire hospital has been preserved for posterity.

The fingerpost sign is the first artefact to be conserved at the new Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.

A team of five conservators has the task of preserving historic items for the history centre, local museums and other heritage organisations.

The fingerpost, belonging to Pewsey Heritage Centre, has been cleaned and has had its flaking paint secured.

County conservation and museums manager Louisa Burden said: "It is a wooden fingerpost with a white painted background and raised black lettering stating the destinations, including to Pewsey Hospital.

Public access

"Pewsey Hospital closed its doors in 1995 and this sign reflects part of Wiltshire's history. It was donated to the museum by a county council highways team who were replacing the signposts with up-to-date information."

The fingerpost had been in position for 60 years and had peeling and flaking paint as well as lichen growing on it in patches.

Conservators moved into the new centre which also houses the county's records in March 2007.

When it opens to the public on 31 October it will help people discover, participate and contribute to local history.

The services housed at the centre include archives, local studies, archaeology, buildings records, conservation and museums.