THE STORIES behind the collections at Market Hall Museum in Warwick are told in a new exhibition.
Unlocking Collections focuses on the museum’s ‘Founding Collection’ – the name for the items acquired by the Warwickshire Natural History and Archaeological Society during the 19th century.
Much is known of the scientific value of the collections but the new exhibition aims to uncover the social-historical context of the objects amassed by the society, as well as shed light on the committee members themselves – their interests and their reasons for collecting.
Themes of the exhibition include the beginnings of the society, collecting contexts, the role of women within the society, the society’s hidden voices, and collecting today.
The WNHAS was established in 1836, a time of rising interest in the natural sciences for the professional and middle classes of England.
The new sciences were underpinned by classification schemes, revealing a true order and proper scientific understanding of nature.
Archaeological investigations and antiquarian collecting saw a growing collection of material from across the world, including Greece, Egypt, and India, mainly reflecting Britain’s growing influence and Empire.
Claudia Davies, collections assistant for the Unlocking Collections project said: “This is the first time we have co-curated an exhibition at Heritage and Culture Warwickshire. It has been a massive learning curve but a very rewarding experience. This exhibition would not have been possible without the support and contributions of our volunteers.’
