This contract win will be Marcon’s first project with English Heritage, the organisation that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places across England.
Whitby Abbey is a site of national and international importance and its history is evidenced through the upstanding 13th century medieval ruins, its buried archaeology and its historical associations.
The historical significance of the site is shared with Whitby’s association with many noted artistic and literary figures, from Caedmon to Lewis Carroll and Bram Stoker to JWM Turner. The abbey can be seen from and is directly connected to the town via 199 steps.
It is a place where myth and legend converge with historical fact. Famously Whitby Abbey provided the inspiration for scenes in Bram Stokers Gothic horror novel ‘Dracula’.
Marcon will be responsible for the detail development, manufacture, delivery and installation of the museum fit-out within the visitor centre, including graphics, AV hardware and the coordination of all work-packages. The project also includes the manufacture and installation of externally sited interpretation through a series of jesmonite plinths, some of which include low-level interactive elements.
Mark O’Connor, Director, Marcon said: “The sheer variety of projects within the heritage fit-out sector makes it a challenging and really enjoyable industry to work in. Securing our first project with English Heritage is another significant milestone for the company and we are looking forward to working with the entire project team to complete the new exhibition at Whitby Abbey.”
Marcon’s heritage team will work closely with London based interpretive designers Drinkall Dean, turning their creative vision into reality. Their exciting approach to the creation and delivery of site-wide interpretation will enable visitors to actively learn and explore the site’s rich history.
Angela Drinkall, Director, Drinkall Dean said: “We have found Marcon to be a proactive member of the team, helping us to deliver our vision for Whitby Abbey. The process of detail development balanced with cost management has been extremely helpful for us and our client.”
The new interpretation scheme will promote a sense of fun, exploration and discovery, where learning together through shared experiences is a key outcome for the project and will positively engage visitors.
“The aspiration for the project at Whitby Abbey has been to deliver an ambitious and bold new scheme, that will invite our visitors to explore, discover and learn about the sites rich history,” said Ruth Haycock, Interpretation Manager, English Heritage. “Drinkall Dean and Marcon have really understood our vision and have worked with us to bring the scheme to life. We want to ensure that Whitby Abbey continues to be a top destination for visitors to the region, and we hope the new scheme will delight our visitors for many years to come.”
English Heritage manages a wide range of projects, from world-famous prehistoric sites such as Stonehenge to grand medieval castles and Roman forts, welcoming over 10 million visitors each year.
