Open Evening At The Library
By Heather French
Scarborough Library was the chosen venue for the launch of ‘From Local to Global’ project on Thursday 20 January. This partnership event with the library and Scarborough Museums and Galleries was promoted through social media and a variety of other platforms to highlight interest within the community.
Gifty Burrows - Project Manager and Dorcas Taylor - SMT Curator
The exhibition space in Scarborough Library was used to show photographs and diaries of Colonel James Harrison alongside artefacts normally held at Scarborough Museums and Galleries in Woodend Creative Space. Dorcas Taylor, curator, and Gifty Burrows gave a joint introductory talk to widen understanding of the project and encourage audience members to become volunteer researchers assisting us on the journey of re-discovery. A sizeable crowd gathered on the evening and a number have already signed up as researchers. It was announced that there would be regular museum and library led sessions to enable those interested to learn new skills and become a crucial part of the ‘From Local to Global’ team.
Some of the theatre programmes and photo albums of Scarborough during Harrison’s era
“What an interesting an engaging evening! It was fascinating to find out about the Harrison collection and this forgotten resource. The documents and artefacts shone a light on a period of history of which I was aware but had not given much thought to. And what a fabulous way to bring the community together and create opportunities for local people to become researchers.”
Jane Gill, Tutor in Education
Ceremonial knife from the Congo at the turn of the 19th century. Used in executions. Provenance unknown
“I thought it was a really good experience and it was very fun to look at all the things that would have been around when Harrison was there.”
F (aged 9)
Mounted head of Grant’s Gazelle
“I attended the Open event at Scarborough Library which was well-attended and clearly laid out the aims of the project. The speakers were all enthusiastic and had a collective spirit to find out more about Harrison and the collection, but also for those attending to be part of the project and to have a choice how they could become involved. I was pleased that there was time to speak with the other attendees and that soon after the collection at Woodend would be open to the public, in one of the research sessions.
A very positive start with the opening session and the follow-up, good work.”
C Goode, Scarborough
Exploring maps of Scarborough from 1880