York Minster Revealed
York Minster is the largest medieval cathedral north of the Alps. It was conceived as the embodiment
of heaven on earth. The story told by its art and architecture was intended to show the spiritual and
theological journey from the Old Testament through to the Second coming. These are the beliefs
which western art and culture are built upon.
The eastern part of the cathedral is in dire need of repair and conservation to ensure that the building
is secure. It is essential that this masterpiece is preserved - better known and better understood for
future generations. York Minster Revealed is the name given to the £20million five year project
generously supported by a £10.5million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
HLF Conditions
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The conservation of the stone of the east Front
The conservation and improved legibility of the stained glass of the Apocalypse Cycle
Stone masonry apprenticeships and training in stained glass conservation
New interpretation of the Undercroft and on the Minster floor
Outreach work, new learning programmes, events and exhibitions in accordance with the
Education Plan, the Audience Development Plan and the Marketing Plan
Employment of new staff to conduct these programmes
A new programme of formal learning
Improved training for staff and volunteers
Improvements in the Chapter House Yard
Physical access improvements and new ticketing arrangements
Revelation of a masterpiece
The project will restore the beauty of John Thornton's masterpiece and will also ensure that it is
better understood. Time and poor quality earlier interventions have meant that the window is
jumbled and in some places baffling. The project will revive the window and allow better
understanding of the story it depicts.
York Minster Revealed will:
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Completely conserve the stonework of the 14th and 15th century east Front of York Minster
Conserve and restore the main Apocalypse panels of the Great East Window
Establish Qualifications . . .
There will be apprenticeships in
stonemasonry and stained glass
conservation which will lead to
formal qualifications.
Conservation Workshops . . .
Open-access workshops for masons
and glass conservators will enable the
public to see the crafts in action and
talk to the people involved
Education and Events Programmes . . .
There will be lectures, day courses, conferences and
summer schools on the various aspects of the project
and findings from our research and conservation
work. The current work of the Centre for School
Visits will be expanded to engage more widely with
schools and adult education programmes
Fun for Visitors . . .
There will be family fun days where children and
adults can try out different activities as the project
progresses. A changing programme of exhibitions with linked interactive activities will engage people
with the different aspects of the project and the
Minster
Education online . . .
The results of research and ongoing progress reports on conservation of the East Front and Great East
Window will be posted here on the Minster website.
Project Summary
York Minster Revealed has three main strands:
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Training in craft skills and education
Access and interpretation for York Minster
Conservation and restoration of the East Front and the Great East Window
Training
It is very important to seize the opportunity to train new
apprentices in the specialist skills of stone masonry and stained
glass conservation required for a huge restoration project. English
Heritage has identified a serious lack of people suitably qualified
to conserve our built heritage, which poses a real risk to its
survival. As the largest conservation project of its kind in Europe,
the York Minster Revealed project offers crucial opportunities to
recruit trainees and increase the national pool of skilled
craftspeople
Access
It is very important that we open to all the opportunity to
understand the masterpiece that is the Great East Window in
the context of the whole building and its continuing life and
work
The physical changes include:
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Making the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypts fully accessible to all by installing lifts and
resolving floor level problems
Improving visitor facilities within the Minster
Providing a piazza outside the South Transept, with integral ramps for access from Minster
Gates
Removing the ticketing functions from the Minster to an existing external building
The intellectual access changes include:
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Providing an interpretation scheme within the main Minster building
Developing an integrated educational programme which will allow people to engage with the
Minster both when they're visiting the building and at home
Conservation
The conservation and restoration work will completely
restore the stonework of the East Front of York Minster. It
will secure its structural future and reveal the beauty and
legibility of the Apocalypse section of the Great East
Window. This use and development of cutting-edge glass
conservation techniques will in turn inform stained glass
conservation practice worldwide