The Textile Conservation Centre

Welcome

Welcome to the Textile Conservation Centre's (TCC) new website. This site has been prepared by the staff of the TCC, supported by the Textile Conservation Centre Foundation (the TCC's supporting trust), in order to:

  • mark the closure of the TCC on 31st October 2009
  • give updates on the TCC and the TCCF
  • serve as a gateway for contacting TCC friends and colleagues
  • record part of the TCC’s legacy by providing records of key achievements

The TCC was founded by Karen Finch OBE in 1975, when it was established as a charitable trust based at Hampton Court Palace. In 1998 the TCC became part of the University of Southampton and relocated to a purpose-designed building on its Winchester campus. The Centre will be closed by the University of Southampton on 31st October 2009.  The TCC Foundation is currently in discussion with several organisations and Trustees hope that a future will be found for key aspects of the TCC's work.

Some of our highlights

  • Marquess of Douro OBE

    The Textile Conservation Centre Foundation

    The TCC Foundation raised £1.7m towards the TCC's merger with the University. Generous donors have enabled it to provide bursaries to TCC students. Now the TCCF Trustees are working to ensure the legacy of the TCC is maintained. 

  • King Henry VIII

    Research

    Internationally important research has been undertaken at the TCC. In the last decade we have raised over £2m for research including a single grant of £948,000 to establish the AHRC Research Centre in Textile Conservation and Textile Studies (2002-2007).

  • Our Courses Overview

    Our Courses an overview

    From 1999-2009 the TCC offered two integrated MA programmes: the 2-year MA Textile Conservation and 1-year MA Museums & Galleries, as well as MPhil/PhD opportunities in both areas.

  • Conservation Projects

    Conservation Projects

    As an academic institution the TCC uniquely had a commercial conservation services which enabled integration of conservation practice, career-entry education and research.

[The Textile Conservation Centre is] a national treasure for Britain, a national treasure on which the other national treasures depend

Jerry Podany,
President of ICC,
April 19th 2009.

Recent News

  1. HRH The Princess Royal

    Discussions continue whilst achievements are celebrated

    September 2009

    The TCC Foundation continues to have discussions with several organisations about the possibility of some aspects of the TCC's work being revived elsewhere after the Centre is closed by the University of Southampton on 31st October 2009.

  2. TCC Graduation July 2009

    TCC Students Graduate 2009

    July 2009

    The penultimate cohort of TCC students graduated on 23rd July. The ceremony was presided over by the University of Southampton's Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Wakeham and was held at the Turner Sims Concert Hall on the University's main, Highfield, campus. After the ceremony the TCC staff then held a celebratory reception for the students and their guests.