County Voice

Winter Curator Work

Over the winter Carly Davies, Denbighshire’s new Heritage Curator, has been busy working across all sites carrying out object audits.

The purpose of an object audit is to give a quick and clear overview of the museum collection, allowing basic checking of accession numbers, location and condition. Such auditing helps to highlight any discrepancies relating to numbering, location, display and storage, helping to identify any future work and projects that will need to take place. For Denbighshire Heritage Service the object audit is very relevant as we are an Accredited Museum and will be investigated on our museum standards March 2018.

‘As a new member of the Heritage Team carrying out an object audit over all sites is very beneficial for me as I am getting to know the collection. I also have the opportunity to work closely with members of staff on the various sites, who have real in-depth knowledge and passion for the historical places they work with. Hopefully we can discover some hidden gems and untold stories to incorporate into any future development of Denbighshire heritage sites.’

Denbighshire Heritage has a fascinating collection with a whole range of different objects, just a few of those that have been recorded so far have been:

Rhyl Museum Swimsuit

From Rhyl Museum –Swimming Costume. Made from cotton. These would have been regular beach wear for holiday makers to Rhyl in the 1920’ and 30’s. Visit Rhyl museum for an insight into the history of Entertainment, the promenade and Heritage of Rhyl.

Plas Newydd Dog Collar

From Plas Newydd – Dog Collar – This iron chained dog collar is lockable and looks rather uncomfortable by modern standards. The brass plate says ‘Plas Newydd’ and it is believed to belong to Chase who was a stray Sarah Ponsonby rescued after it was found wondering the grounds of Plas Newydd. Visit Plas Newydd to discover the fascinating story of Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler, see rooms decorated with intricate wooden carvings and take a stroll through the historically listed garden.

Ruthin Gaol Oakum Picking

From Ruthin Gaol – Oakum picking bench – Oakum was the fibre produced from picking apart old ropes, usually those used in shipping which were heavy and often covered in tar. The laborious task of ‘Oakum picking’ was regular work for those incarcerated in Victorian prisons. It could be carried out by children and the old so no prisoner was spared the task. Visit Ruthin Gaol to discover what other punishments Victorian prisoners were given and imagine what it would have been like to be an inmate at a Pentonville Victorian Prison.

These objects and many more will be on display at our museums when they reopen in Spring 2018. Opening times and prices will be available for all sites on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk/heritage.

Keep up to date with what’s going on in Denbighshire Heritage by following us on Facebook @heritagedenbighshire

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