Tanner Sleigh Hearse

Since 1986 the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum has been home to the Tanner Hearse Collection — a turn-of-the-20th-century group of unique undertaker's equipment comprising a Sleigh Hearse (c. 1900), a Funeral Carriage/Coach (c. 1890), and a Pallbearers' Wagon (c. 1900). The Sleigh Hearse was fabricated by local craftsman James Stewart and remained in use until 1936. It retains a front driver's seat and rear cabin on a wood-and-iron frame set upon sleigh runners; the cabin is glazed with glass and Plexiglas panels and capped with decorative wood finials and silver-plated brass rails. Much of the original padded ceiling, felt curtains, and silver-plated fixings survive.

Our team was contracted to conserve the Sleigh Hearse, confirming conditions and implementing treatment. Work included removing corrosion from metal components, stabilizing dry rot on the seat and sleigh runners, stabilizing cracked glass, repairing leather on the seat, and reattaching the side seat panel. The interior curtains were removed for storage to facilitate future reproduction, and a full treatment report was provided to the client.