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A passion for plants: women in botany
The University Herbarium contains 60,000 preserved plant specimens, collected by some 2,000 botanists and collectors over the University’s 125-year history. Most of these collectors were men, but some 260 women also worked on this valuable archive – some well documented, others entirely unknown. My name is Lottie, and I’m currently studying an MA in Art…
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A treasure trove of botanical illustrations
When Winterbourne took responsibility for the University Herbarium a few years ago, we had no idea what treasures we were going to uncover. Opening some of the cardboard boxes revealed a major collection of prints by a significant figure in the history of botanical illustration, James Sowerby. Sowerby was born in 1757 at a time…
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Grown from Stone
Curator Henrietta introduces the Lettering Arts Trust exhibition ‘Grown from Stone’, which opens on 24 August. ‘Grown from Stone’ is a highly unusual exhibition comprising thought-provoking works inspired by nature and conservation created by stone carvers. Brought to Winterbourne by the Lettering Arts Trust, the exhibition celebrates the heritage craft of hand-cut lettering in stone,…
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Inside Winterbourne’s Seedbank
In the 1970s and 1980s, Winterbourne was home to a pioneering seed bank full of weird and wonderful seeds from around the world. In this article, student Zoe Smith explores its fascinating history. Hello! I’m Zoe, a student at the University of Birmingham, and over the past few months, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to…
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Quality books for the masses: William Morris and the Kelmscott Press
You may know William Morris as the 19th century designer and political commentator, and even spotted some of his wallpapers around Winterbourne House. But are you aware of his printing press? We have been researching what inspired Morris to establish the Kelmscott Press, and how it significantly impacted the printing industry. Portrait of William Morris…