counter-tourism in brighton 

Counter-tourism activity in the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, 18th July 2013: list all anachronisms (with thanks to John Bowers). 
  • Big video screen in entrance. 
  • Mobile information system for visitors. 
  • Walkie-talkies. 
  • Electric lights. 
  • Motorised substitutions of clockwork mechanisms in orientalist mannequins. 
  • Victorian glasswork. 
  • Electric candles. 
  • Gas fires. 
  • Perspex security screens. 
  • Plastic fake fruit. 
  • Fire exits and their signage. 
  • Number signs. 
  • Electric fan, Texet, manufacturer. 
  • Radiator, disguised with gold paint. 
  • Fire extinguishers. 
  • Contemporary cane chairs for visitors to rest on.
  • Wireless temperature indicator. 
  • CCTV. 
  • Models of cuts of meat, wax in appearance. 
  • Stuffed rats to lend authenticity to the kitchen. 
  • Overhead electric element heaters. 
  • Smoke alarms, coloured to match surfaces attached to. 
  • Signs giving directions.
  • A4 sized binder of photographs (presumed aid to staff facing inquisitive questions from visitors). 
  • Foam rubber affixed with cable ties to prevent door from hitting, itself anachronistic, radiator. (Observation: structures of anachronism.)
  • Roller blinds. 
  • Later locks inserted into many doors.
  • Most carpeting. 
  • Scaffolding. 
  • Extensive restoration work in The Saloon. But restoring to when? 1787 when originally built or any if the 4 redecorations done by 1823? Or the one in 1921? 1823 it seems, but why? Because the gold, silver and crimson scheme would have most contemporary appeal? Or because it would fit, never mind potential anachronisms, with other rooms and hence not jolt the visitor experience? Or, as perhaps hinted in some displays, on counter-reading, the restoration which raises the most research issues?
  • Copies of carpet, curtains and silk wall coverings are also intended for this room. 
  • Cadmium red, not vermilion. 
  • Genie IWP-20S electronically controlled lifting gear. And plastic bucket. Partially occluded by screen, itself of corrugated plastic. 
  • Two leather bound copies of Cassell's History of England published in 1871, nearly 50 years later than the avowed date of authenticity for the room it was in. 
  • Humidity and temperature indicator. 
  • The Rock Clock in the Music Room, the original was taken by Queen Victoria. 
  • Every toilet. 
  • Colour matched corrugated plastic. 
  • Electro-magnetic door stopper. 
  • Ventilation grille (est early 20th century). 
  • The Lecture Room, renamed Audio-Visual Room (in need of another renaming). 
  • Marbled hard wearing grey office carpet, trimmed in red and gold. 
  • A video monitor. 
  • The Tea Room, in its entirety. 
  • A model of the Pavilion (undated, probably 20th century). 
  • More fans, by igenix and micromark (tendency for fan manufacturers to prefer at least initial lower case in their names noted). 
  • The gift shop itself, in its entirety. 
  • The visitors, themselves, all of us.