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Object of the month: sphagnum moss
Our archive is filled with thousands of treasures from the past, many of which never get to see the light of day. We want to change this, which is why each month we’ll now shine a spotlight on one of our many objects. First up is a perfectly-preserved specimen of sphagnum moss (c. 1900), introduced…
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A woman of outstanding artistic abilities
To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, Curator Henrietta explores the life of a little-known Birmingham photographer. Many of the photographs in our archive have the name of the photographer stamped on them. In the Victorian and Edwardian period, most of these photographers were men. I was quite excited, therefore, when I noticed the…
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Paddling pants and other necessities
Nowadays knitting, stitching, embroidery, and crochet are great ways to unwind and get crafty. But, back in the 18-1900s, needlework was an essential skill. Curator Henrietta reveals the importance of needlework in the Nettlefold’s lives by flicking through their photo archives. Knitting and other forms of needlework are becoming increasingly popular as people rediscover the…
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Two carriage lamps and a feeble moon
Ever wondered what people did for fun during winter in the 19th Century? Curator Henrietta uncovered just that when she delved into the archives to find out more about how the Nettlefolds spent their winter days. Expect lots of wintry fun and frolics! It’s rare for us to get a white Christmas these days, but…
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Unwrapping a Christmas tradition: stockings
There’s nothing cosier than sitting by a fireplace, hung with stockings, at Christmas. But do you know why we hang stockings on Christmas Eve, and how it came to become such a beloved tradition? It may have something to do with that little Saint Nick… Our Visitor Experience Manager, Tessa, investigates. Continuing from last…