As part of our on-going Heritage Lottery Funded Man and Mountain project, we are engaging children in the history of mountaineering and looking to develop a handling collection that can be used by schools for educational purposes.
There has been huge shift since the 1950s from the use of wool, silk and cotton; to nylon, plastic and ‘technical’ fabrics. Whilst we can show children pictures of items in the archive, or those on display in the Keswick Museum, it is much more interesting and engaging if they can examine physical clothing and objects. Most our current items in the archive have been given on the understanding that they will be preserved, so cannot be used for public handling. We do have a very limited miscellaneous handling collection, but are looking for a range of items that are listed below.
Do you have, hidden in a cupboard or at the back of the garage, any of these items and could you donate some to our educational program? If so please get in contact with our Learning and Engagement Officer – debbie@mountain-heritage.org
Equally, any more contemporary items would be very welcome, but please contact our Learning and Engagement Officer before sending – debbie@mountain-heritage.orgThis could be done anonymously, or could have your name attached to show that it had been donated. All donations will be recorded and catalogued on our system. We would welcome as well any personal history or anecdote connected with the item which would make the item feel more real and personal. Gear that is worn and well used is ideal!
Mountain Heritage Trust has some limited funds for learning resources, so we can reimburse postage, or you could drop them at our office in Threlkeld or at the Keswick Museum.
We would like to gather these items together before the start of the Autumn term, so would be most grateful to receive them as soon as possible. All items will be handled in supervised groups for educational purposes and will be checked before and after each session.
We appreciate your consideration and hope you can donate some items. They will really bring learning alive to help young people understand the rich history and heritage of mountaineering and inspire them to go adventuring themselves!
To continue our ever increasing preservation and engagement work we are actively looking for financial donations of any amount.
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