Conservation
Conservation records retained in the Museum’s archives were written up for the nightdress in July 1993, a year after its rediscovery. These include sketches of the garment and detailed comments on its condition. The record notes ‘a few small local spill stains, notably on one cuff’ and ‘perspiration stains under the arms […] in keeping with its purpose as a film costume’.
The Conservator further notes that there ‘is no evidence that the dress has been cleaned, since the blue transfer marks are still present under the smocking stitches’, but that the dress ‘is generally in very good condition’ (Robinson 1994: 2).
In early 1994, Topsham Museum steward Ann McMenamin secured donations from The Monument Trust to facilitate the display of the nightdress.
By March, the discovery was featuring in a few news items, including a small piece in The Stage which included a colour photograph of Ann McMenamin standing beside the dress mounted on a mannequin.