The Restoration of Soho House

Centre for Midlands History and  Cultures Seminar

Speaker: Rita McLean (Museums and Heritage Consultant, former Director Of Birmingham Museums) 

Soho House, home of Matthew Boulton from 1766-1809 is a nationally significant historic building. Its repair and conservation during the 1990s was underpinned by programmes of archaeological and archival research work steering its restoration and interpretation. Exploring Boulton’s development of the house advanced understanding of the breadth and impact of his business enterprises, gave insights into his personal life and illuminated many fascinating perspectives of 18th Century life and times – from local to global.

Rita McLean worked for Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery for over 20 years. She joined the museum service in 1990 as project manager for the restoration and establishment of Soho House as a museum and led a 5-year programme of development work. Subsequently she became the service’s Head of Historic House Museums and from 2004 until 2012 was Director of Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery. She is now an independent Museums and Heritage Consultant.