YORK Minster’s Stoneyard opened its doors to visitors today to show people the skills used to preserve the 800-year-old cathedral.
Visitors could see the cathedral’s craftspeople at work in their workshops and learn how they repair, restore and protect the Minster’s historic fabric, as well as join tours of the cathedral’s South Quire Aisle scaffolding to see the conservation work taking place on this part of the cathedral.
There were also tours of the plaster cast museum and drawing office.
The Stoneyard Open Day launched a four-day celebration of the ancient craft of stonemasonry at the cathedral, which includes an international Stone Carving Festival today and tomorrow in the Minster’s Dean’s Park.
The events conclude on Wednesday with an auction of historic stone removed from the building during conservation works. Money raised from the auction will be used to fund ongoing conservation work at the cathedral.
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