Fans were a most desirable fashion accessory in Georgian times and depending on your wealth and status were made with ornate and indulgent materials such as tortoise shell, mother of pearl, gold and even ivory. Many fans would also have intricate scenes printed on the fabric, which would be revealed

This week our curator, Morag Clement, talks about “Thirty Four Silver Short Cross Pennies”. The coins were found near Carnforth in 2008 by a local metal detectorist. After examination at the British Museum, they were declared Treasure Trove and Kendal Museum was given the option to purchase them. A value

Our King Penguin specimen was part of the original natural history collection at Kendal Museum, and was donated by Dr William Rushton Parker (1853–1943). Dr William Rushton Parker; Kendal’s Great Benefactor Dr Parker was a Museum supporter with a particular interest in the collection of Birds, not only from this

This specimen is a Victorian cast of a sabre toothed tiger found in Brazil as a cave deposit. Even as a plaster cast is it very valuable as a museum specimen, coming from the Victorian age when such casts commanded great interest. It was originally in the Sessions collection. The Sessions

This week our curator, Morag Clement, talks about ‘Snuff’. Snuff is essentially dried tobacco leaves ground into powder which is sniffed into nostrils as an alternative to smoking tobacco. A pinch of snuff is placed on the back of the hand and sniffed, the word “sniff” imitating the sound of

This week our curator, Morag Clement, talks about ‘Bell Mare Painting’. The Belle Mare painting dates from 1757 and is oil on canvas.  The initial R.T are thought to refer to Robert Tebay who was a packhorse carrier at this time in the Kendal area.  The painting was on display

This week our Curator, Morag Clement, tells the story of David Patrickson: Framed Death Commemoration Scroll, medals and photo of Private David Patrickson of the 8th Batallion, Border Regiment. The medals are the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. (These medals were affectionately known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred)   David was a farm

This week our Curator, Morag Clement, talks about “German Coffee Pot“. This claw-footed porcelain coffee pot from Ludwigsburg in Germany is part of our ceramics collection and is dated to 1775. The Ludwigsburg Porcelain Manufactory was founded in 1758 and operated from the grounds of the Ludwigsburg Palace. It closed

This week our Curator, Morag Clement, talks about “Two First Prize Medals“. Two medals awarded as first prize for throwing a cricket ball at the Kendal Gala in 1871 and 1872. The Gala Cricket Club was established on Thursday the 2nd of June, 1853 following a petition forwarded to the

This week our Curator, Morag Clement, talks about “London Olympic Torch and Runner’s Outfit”. **Please note that we were privileged to have the torch on display for a few months back in 2012** This torch carried the Olympic Flame on day 35 through Lancaster on 22 June 2012.  It was