Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum - Discover Penrith and Eden's Heritage Together

Blog

EVENTS

Preserving local history is a rewarding endeavor that strengthens community identity and fosters pride. One effective way to contribute is by participating in oral history projects, where you can interview long-time residents to capture their stories and memories. These narratives add depth and personal perspectives to the museum's archives, ensuring that the rich heritage of Penrith and Eden is not lost to time. Additionally, volunteering for cataloging artifacts or assisting in exhibition preparations can provide hands-on experience and help maintain the museum's collections for future generations.<h3>Engaging with Your Community</h3>Building connections with fellow history enthusiasts through local events and social media groups can amplify these efforts. Sharing discoveries and organizing history walks or talks encourages broader participation and raises awareness about the museum's role. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere, Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum can create a vibrant network dedicated to safeguarding the town's unique cultural legacy.

How to Preserve Local History Through Community Involvement

Small museums across the UK are increasingly adopting digital technologies to enhance visitor experiences and expand their reach. Virtual tours, augmented reality exhibits, and interactive displays allow patrons to explore collections in engaging new ways, even from home. Additionally, museums are focusing on community-driven content, inviting locals to contribute artifacts and stories, which strengthens the connection between the institution and its audience. These trends reflect a shift towards more inclusive, participatory approaches to preserving and presenting heritage.<h3>Innovations Shaping the Museum Landscape</h3>Social media platforms are also playing a vital role in promoting events and educational programs, helping small museums like Friends of Penrith and Eden to attract diverse audiences. Embracing these trends not only modernizes the museum experience but also ensures its sustainability by fostering ongoing community involvement and support.

Emerging Trends in Small Museum Engagement

Curating an exhibit at a small museum involves meticulous research, careful selection, and creative storytelling. The process begins with identifying a theme that resonates with the local community and aligns with the museum's mission. Curators then source artifacts, documents, and images that best illustrate the narrative, often relying on donations and loans from residents. Every item is cataloged and preserved with attention to detail to protect its integrity, while exhibit design focuses on creating an immersive and educational experience for visitors.<h3>The Art and Science of Exhibition Design</h3>Behind the scenes, the team collaborates closely with historians, conservators, and educators to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Lighting, layout, and interpretive materials are carefully planned to guide visitors through the story effectively. This dedication to craftsmanship and authenticity highlights the passion and expertise that Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum brings to preserving local heritage.

Behind the Scenes: Curating Exhibits at a Local Museum

Supporting the past for the future<a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/#article-1">Join</a> the Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum in celebrating and helping to preserve the rich history of our market town and the Eden area.We are an independent group who support&nbsp; the museum by assisting in the acquisition of <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/#article-2">artefacts</a> and treasures to add to the museum’s collection of exhibits.&nbsp;We host <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/events">informative talks</a> given by knowledgeable and specialist speakers on historical subjects of local and national interest.

The Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum 

Penrith and Eden Museum is housed in the old Robinson's School building in Penrith alongside Penrith Tourist Information Centre (TIC), 42 Middlegate, Penrith CA11 7PT.The museum is owned and managed by Westmorland and Furness Council. It opens 10am-4pm Mon-Sat. Admission is free.The museum aims to collect, preserve and display material reflecting the history and culture of Penrith and Eden. &nbsp;These are examples of artefacts which have been recently purchased and added to this collection with the support of the Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum group:<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/5f045526-82dd-4015-a8b9-0639458d2e65/0e639eac-e7ea-40cb-b6a9-ee81d47d7118_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fit">Charles 1st medallion from Kirkby Stephen dating from 1640<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/5f045526-82dd-4015-a8b9-0639458d2e65/c05ae23d-690b-4427-8c77-c55d2fe70e06_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fit">Medieval coin hoard from Crosby Ravensworth

ARTEFACTS

<h3>Trustees include:</h3>Jay Maclean (President)Peter Simpson (Chair)Clive Riches&nbsp; (Treasurer)Stephen Lindley (Secretary)&nbsp;Margaret Riches (Programme Secretary)

The Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum is a registered charity.

Become a member to&nbsp; personally receive information about the programme of talks, additional newsletters and invitations to other activities.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is due&nbsp;on 1st September.Single Member £10&nbsp;Couple £15Download and complete the membership application form.

Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum

Meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of the month at 2.00 pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Penrith CA11 7TR unless advised otherwise in advance.VISITORS ARE WELCOME for a donation £5 for each meeting attended.For Further Information click on highlighted Links

<table style="min-width: 75px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">DATE</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">SPEAKER</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center" data-vertical-align="middle">TITLE</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">20th October &nbsp;2026</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">Mike Winstanley</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center" data-vertical-align="middle"><a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/events#article-2">Muck, Medicine &amp; Mortality</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">17th November 2026</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">Bruce Bennison</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center" data-vertical-align="middle">Cumbria 5,000 years ago – the arrival of the first farmers</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">16th February 2027</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">Rob David</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center" data-vertical-align="middle">Waiter, Miner, Butcher Spy: Germans and Austrians in Cumbria during the First World War</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">16th March 2027</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">Harry Hawkins</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center" data-vertical-align="middle">Monks, Shepherds and Wool</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">13th April 2027</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center">Faye Morrissey</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" data-text-align="center" data-vertical-align="middle">The Armitt: An insight in to &nbsp;the history of the museum and its collection</td></tr></tbody></table>Excursion:&nbsp; 8th June 2027&nbsp;To Armitt Library &amp; Museum Centre,&nbsp;Ambleside&nbsp; (LA22 9BL) an escorted tour of the Library and Museum + presentation&nbsp;about Beatrix Potter which will include an opportunity to look at the museum’s collection of her original work.&nbsp; &nbsp;(N.B. The cost of the excursion is not included in the membership subscription.)

PROGRAMME 2026-27

<h4>BIBLIOGRAPHY</h4>Mike was Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University for 32 years, retiring in 2010, He specialised in the regional history of the North West, particularly in the 19th century and publishing on a wide range of topics.&nbsp; However, he continues to research publish and give lectures to local groups.&nbsp; He also currently organises a series of online talks for members of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society and is actively involved with local societies in North Lancashire.&nbsp;<h4>PRESENTATION</h4>The presentation will explore the ways in which Victorians in the north west of England coped, or tried to cope with the squalor and disease which was generated by polluted or insufficient water…The Victorians were the first to face the challenge of improving public health.&nbsp; They faced enormous problems:&nbsp; polluted water, inadequate sewerage, limited medical understanding and facilities, poor housing and very high death rates, particularly for infants.&nbsp; There was also the thorny issue of who paid for any improvements. When the Public Health Inspector visited Penrith in 1849 he was asked if he had ever surveyed a cleaner town; he replied that he had never surveyed a dirtier.&nbsp;&nbsp;How well did they cope both nationally, in Cumbria and the Penrith district?&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/5f045526-82dd-4015-a8b9-0639458d2e65/7930257e-fa78-48e8-bbf3-9aeaf1ffc3e5_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fit"><img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/5f045526-82dd-4015-a8b9-0639458d2e65/d3e3d83f-051a-4fc7-8b59-1f1786ab8b3d_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fit">

PRESS RELEASES

Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum launch new website