Discovery Hut

Nicola Stewart, Antarctic Heritage Trust Lead Conservator for the 2023-24 summer conservation season, recounts her first encounter with Scott’s ‘Discovery’ hut in 2006, and the ongoing conservation efforts conserving its legacy.

I first visited Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s 1901-1904 Discovery hut on a dark, icy winter day in June 2006. As we opened the door, we were confronted by a wall of snow that we dug through to let ourselves in.

Inside, the ceiling was covered in sparkling ice crystals and there were drifts of snow over the floor and artefacts – it was beautiful, but a harmful environment for the collections. During summer when the ice and snow melted, metals would corrode, wood warp and paper disintegrate. The hut felt forlorn and a little neglected.

Scott's 'Discovery' hut surrounded by snow.

‘Discovery’ hut before conservation during the winter of 2006.
© AHT/Nicola Stewart

Conservators confronted by a wall of snow and ice filling the entrance to 'Discovery' hut.

The wall of snow drift inside the door of ‘Discovery’ hut, with Sarah Clayton (AHT conservator) and Paul Stewart (Scott Base winter carpenter). Winter 2006.
© AHT/Nicola Stewart

Discovery hut was not used to accommodate the men of Scott’s Discovery party; they lived on-board the ship frozen into the sea ice beside the hut. Instead, it was used for storage, scientific research, repairing equipment and as a theatre.

However, because it’s so close to the Ice Shelf, all the later expeditions regularly used the hut for shelter or as a refuge. It often looks and feels dismal. The walls and drapes are dark, covered with sticky black soot from the men—particularly of the Ross Sea Party—burning seal blubber for heat, lighting, and cooking as they struggled to survive, and furniture improvised from any materials they could find.

Ice crystals forming on the timber ceiling of Scott's 'Discovery' hut.

Ice crystals on the soot-stained ceiling. Winter 2006. © AHT/Nicola Stewart

Ice crystals on the walls and ceiling inside 'Discovery' hut.

Inside the hut before conservation, with ice crystals on the ceiling and windows, and snow drift over the artefacts. Winter 2006. © AHT/Nicola Stewart

In 2013, Antarctic Heritage Trust began a 2-year conservation programme at Discovery hut. During the first summer, we packed and removed all the artefacts to New Zealand’s Scott Base where they were conserved over the winter, then we returned them the next summer. This allowed the conservation carpenters to weather-tightened the building and remove ice from under the floors, as we conserved the fixtures and fittings – door handles, hooks and the metal edging of the food boxes used to build internal walls.

Timelapse of Trust conservators packing up artefacts in ‘Discovery’ hut during the 2013-14 season. © AHT

As I walk into the hut now, 10 years on from the conservation programme, it feels and looks cared-for and dry. There are no longer ice crystals or drifts, and the improved environment protects the artefacts that tell so many stories of the men who lived, worked and survived here.

Artefacts inside Scott's 'Discovery' hut.

Brick blubber stove inside Scott's 'Discovery' hut

Soot staining around the seal blubber stove, drapes made from ships canvas and a hanging lamp made from an old tin. Summer 2024. © AHT/Nicola Stewart