The Paint Sample Archive RICHeS-funded investment at the National Trust is now open for access. To celebrate this milestone, on the 28 September 2026 the National Trust hosted a soft launch event at the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole. This brought together a focused group from across the heritage science and conservation community, who have contributed samples taken from National Trust collections and interiors to the archive. The event provided an opportunity to showcase the archive, reflect on the collaborative work that made it possible, and mark the transition from the archive’s development phase to its operational phase as part of the RICHeS distributed research infrastructure.
The Paint Sample Archive has been established through significant collaboration across the UK heritage sector, bringing together paint samples, reference materials, associated analytical data and specialist knowledge accumulated over decades of conservation and heritage science research. The archive has been enabled through RICHeS and builds on the National Trust’s long-standing commitment to improving access to collections, scientific resources and expertise.
Building a national resource for heritage science
Paint samples collected during conservation projects represent an invaluable source of information about the history, composition and condition of historic buildings, interiors and collections. However, these materials have often remained dispersed across institutions, projects and individual researchers, limiting their discoverability and long-term research value.
The Paint Sample Archive addresses this challenge by creating a structured, accessible resource that supports the preservation, management and future use of these important research collections. Throughout the development phase, the project team worked closely with contributors across museums, heritage organisations, universities, conservation practices and independent researchers to establish approaches for cataloguing, documentation, storage and future access.
The archive includes paint cross-sections, dispersed samples, reference materials and associated documentation spanning a wide range of historic decorating traditions and heritage contexts. Together, these resources offer a unique opportunity to support new research into historic materials, technologies, craftsmanship, conservation practice and the histories of buildings and collections.
A foundation for collaboration and new research
The event celebrated not only the physical archive itself, but also the network of expertise and collaboration that underpins it. Contributors have generously shared collections, knowledge and experience to help create a resource that will benefit the wider heritage science community for years to come.
As part of the day, visitors toured the archive facilities, learned about the processes involved in developing the collection and explored examples of how archived samples and associated analytical data can support future research questions. Discussions throughout the day highlighted the growing importance of shared infrastructure, standardised documentation and collaborative approaches to heritage science research. The team also looked beyond the scientific community and thought about inspiration for creatives, activities with broader public benefit and future uses of the public-facing display area.
The archive is intended as a living resource that will continue to grow through ongoing contributions, partnerships and research activities. By enabling access to well-documented sample collections and associated data, the archive has the potential to generate new insights into historic paint technologies, regional practices, material change and the conservation of built heritage and collections.
Supporting access
The Paint Sample Archive is available to researchers, conservators, heritage professionals and students through the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) Catalogue of Services and beyond. Researchers are encouraged to explore opportunities for collaborative projects, collection-based research and analytical studies using the archive materials and data. Access to the archive can also be supported through the RICHeS Access Fund, helping researchers make use of the facilities, collections and expertise available through the RICHeS infrastructure.
The National Trust team looks forward to working with collaborators across the heritage and conservation sectors to expand the archive, support new research and unlock the potential of these collections. By preserving and sharing paint samples and associated knowledge, the Paint Sample Archive will help ensure that valuable evidence of historic decoration and material history remains accessible for future generations of researchers.
To learn more about accessing the Paint Sample Archive, visit the HSDS Catalogue of Services and the National Trust’s RICHeS webpages.
Or get in touch with the team at paintsamplearchive@nationaltrust.org.uk.
A public celebration of the Paint Sample Archive is being planned to coincide with International Colour Day 2027, on 21 March 2027. The event will celebrate the stories, discoveries and research opportunities held within the collection, while offering visitors a chance to learn more about the science of historic paints and pigments. Further details will be announced in the coming months, so keep an eye on the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio Instagram page and National Trust channels for updates.