Meet the Team: Lesley Scott
My name is Lesley Scott. I am an Accredited Social History Conservator and came to work at the Birthplace at the end of 2017. My main focus is the care and preservation of the Museums’ collection, it’s decant and return to the site and everything in-between.
I’ve worked in museums for almost 30 years, including managing a couple of museum decants, so had some ideas of how to help the David Livingstone Trust work towards accomplishing their inspirational project. Having progressive Colleagues and knowledgeable Volunteers has been greatly valuable to the work I have undertaken.
Before I came to Blantyre I knew a little bit about David Livingstone from school and the infamous “Dr Livingstone I Presume...?” I now know he answered very simply, with a kind smile, lifting his cap; “Yes.”
The re-furbished Museum will immerse the visitor through the display of many of the objects that were part of his life. As a Conservator I have the challenging job of ensuring these items, some over 200 years old, are conserved so they can be safely displayed and protected for future generations.
Many of the items I handle have been with the explorer through his travels in Africa and it is fascinating to think he wore the coat I have packed, read the books I have sent for conservation or wrote the letters I have read. Working with such objects and learning about the cultures and people who once owned them is a truly enlightening experience and part of the reason I love working in museums.
If you would like to find out more about the work I do, please view for videos about the collection and objects.
You can also find more videos on our YouTube channel.
