Historic carpets 'restored by local authority'
22nd March 2010
The Sentinal reported that the Wilton weave wool carpets were produced by Masland Mill in a set of four. Two of the carpets were sent to the city of Carlisle in the UK, while two remained in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. All four items featured the coats of arms of both sister cities.
But when the US carpets were stashed in a maintenance building during renovations, they came into contact with melting snow and salt from council vehicles, resulting in mildew.
“It was so bad when they brought it in that we couldn’t take it at first,” commented Steve McDonald, president of M&Z Carpets in Carlisle.
However, following a five-man cleaning job - which took three days and involved washing, shampooing and drying the carpets on both sides - the items have been fully restored and will soon feature again in the borough hall when renovations are complete in May.
The BBC reported earlier this week that a historic carpet dating back to 1890 at Tyntesfield House in Wraxhall, near Bristol, has been replaced with a replica.
A Wilton weaving machine was used to replicate the "distinctive" chenille floor covering, according to a spokesman for carpet firm Linney Cooper.
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