Event/Activity EPM296 - Survey of the Guardhouse at Fort Cumberland

A survey of the Guardhouse at Fort Cumberland was undertaken by the English Heritage Centre for Archaeology (CfA) as part of the relocation of the English Heritage Ancient Monuments Laboratory from London to Portsmouth. The Guardhouse was to be included in a programme of conservation and refurbishment works for buildings that were to be utilised as part of the relocation, although it was not refurbished following the survey due to funding. A conservation plan identified the Guardhouse as a building of high historical significance being one of only two buildings that survive from the first Fort Cumberland built in the 1740s. The recording requirements were set out in a recording strategy for buildings affected by the works. The latter included a measured survey of the external and internal elevations, rectified photography of the external elevations, re-drafting of rectified photography with archaeological observations, narrative photography of the interiors and a detailed timber survey of the roof and other timber structural elements. The relocation took place during the summer of 1999 but the exact date of the survey is not recorded in the report. The main aims of the project were to produce an analytical record of the building 'as found' which could be used to inform future conservation and refurbishment works and to safeguard the survival of the historic fabric. Rectified photography had been procured by Historic Properties South East prior to the survey taking place. The results of this formed the basis of an analytical survey produced by the English Heritage Centre for Archaeology (CfA) during which the photography was digitally enhanced to create a full record of the fabric of the building. The CfA also undertook narrative photography of interiors of details not shown on metric photographs. A detailed timber survey of the roof and other timber structural elements was undertaken by John Pigeon, an independent timber specialist. Historic plans and photographs and other available documentary evidence was also used in the analysis of the building.