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My life in history: manager at the Roman Baths and Pump Room

My life in history: manager at the Roman Baths and Pump Room

As part of the 'My life in history' series, Amanda Hart talks about her role as manager at the Roman Baths and Pump Room

Amanda Hart.

Published: September 20, 2024 at 8:30 AM

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How did you first get interested in history, especially archaeology?

I have always been fascinated with archaeology and there have been a number of key moments in my life that have shaped my desire to work in museums – from visiting my first one, to finding items during archaeological excavations. There is just something about ancient objects and making the connection with past societies that I find utterly captivating.

It was studying archaeology at university and specialising in archaeological curatorship in my further studies that set me off on my career path. I focused on museum education for many years, developing workshops for schools and community groups. Learning and participation is highly important to me and, I believe, should be part of a museum’s core purpose.

What led you to the Roman Baths and Pump Room?

The Roman Baths. (Picture provided by Amanda)

I previously worked as director of the Corinium Museum in Cirencester [which has a collection mainly consisting of Romano-British artefacts, but also includes a wide array of objects spanning prehistoric to Victorian times].

There, I led a major project to create new prehistory galleries, along with a new discovery centre, garden, shop and reception area. Following the transformation of the Corinium Museum, it felt like the right time to move on, and I began my new role at the Roman Baths in 2022. There are several similarities between the two places, so it seemed like a natural progression.

What does your role entail, and is there anything new you hope to bring?

Within my team, I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the site, as well as management of the collections, learning and community engagement, and the visitor experience. The Roman Baths uses a variety of methods to engage visitors, including a comprehensive audio guide and several holographic projections that really bring its history to life.

Read more | What were houses like in ancient Rome?

Being new to the post, I am currently reviewing the interpretation across the site. I believe there are some new and relevant narratives in the story of the Roman Baths that need to be told: around identity, migration, multiculturalism, health and disability, to name a few.

What are your favourite items and insights about the roman baths?

Some of the Roman Baths’ 130 curse tablets, Amanda’s favourite objects. The sheets of lead or pewter were inscribed with pleas asking the goddess Sulis Minerva to exact revenge on the people who had wronged them.

As I have a condition called lupus, which can affect my joints and mobility, I have an interest in the hot springs and how the natural mineral water has been used for healing – particularly for rheumatic diseases. Medical writers in ancient Rome, such as Celsus and Galen, attest to the curative properties of bathing, while the Pump Room, which was built in the 18th century, became a fashionable place to drink the mineral water for health reasons.

My favourite objects are the curse tablets: prayers of Romano-British people asking the goddess Sulis Minerva for revenge for an injustice done to them. The messages usually related to something personal, such as the theft of everyday items like a cloak or gloves.

They were scratched into lead or pewter squares, folded or rolled up, and then thrown into the hot spring where the spirit of Sulis Minerva was believed to have dwelt. It is a privilege to be able to read these prayers – messages their owners probably never expected would be read 2,000 years in the future.

Is there a recommendation you would make to visitors?

The Roman Baths is an exceptional place, and unique in Roman Britain as a bathing and temple complex. Of course, visitors cannot help but be impressed by the scale and beauty of the centrepiece of the site, the Great Bath.

A young visitor comes face-to-face with the sole surviving fragment of a gilt bronze sculpture depicting the goddess.

A young visitor comes face-to-face with the sole surviving fragment of a gilt bronze sculpture
depicting the goddess. (Picture provided by Amanda)

I recommend visiting on a cold and sunny morning to see the steam rising off the water. It makes for a magical experience – you can almost feel Sulis Minerva’s presence.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar career route?

I would advise finding a course of study that suits their needs, as there are many routes into museums these days. It is important to get experience of the different functions of a museum (such as retail, marketing, community engagement, exhibitions, collections and events), and see how these interact with each other to make a memorable visitor experience.

Read more | A timeline of Roman Britain

I’d also recommend they join a museum sector network to keep informed of the latest news and events – there’s so much information available virtually, from podcasts and e-newsletters to online conferences. The most fun advice I’d give, however, is to go and see lots of exhibitions and museums in person. It’s great inspiration!

Amanda Hart is the manager of the Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath, Somerset. Built on the site of a hot spring, the baths were in use throughout the centuries of Roman rule in Britain. Today, the Georgian-era Pump Room is a restaurant where visitors can sample the water. Learn more here.

This article was first published in the September 2022 issue of BBC History Revealed