Dorset museums plea for largest Thomas Hardy display ever
Museums across Dorset and Wiltshire want your help to put on the biggest Thomas Hardy display yet.
Four museums have launched a Crowdfunder appeal to conserve and display a range of Thomas Hardy objects, many of which have never before been on public display.
The objects will form part of a blockbuster Hardy exhibition that takes place across the Wessex Museums partnership in summer 2022 – Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, The Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum. It will be the largest collection of Hardy objects ever displayed at one time.
The collection will display items that have remained in storage for years, such as Hardy's grandmother's kettle.
Exhibition curator, Harriet Still, said:
"She lived in the adjoining cottage. I always imagine him going round there as a little boy, sitting down on the chair, Granny puts on the kettle, waiting for it to boil she starts telling him all these stories.
"A lot of these stories then come out in his later writings, so that's become one of my favourites."
She added:
“Hardy found his inspiration in the landscapes and people of Wessex, but he was also passionate about issues such as women’s equality, animal welfare and the unfairness of the English class system.
“As part of the project, I was tasked with exploring the museum stores and finding objects that gave insights into Hardy’s complex personality. It was a magical voyage of discovery and it will be wonderful to share this fascinating treasure trove with our visitors.”
One of the patrons is Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, DL, President of the Thomas Hardy Society. He said:
“I wholeheartedly support this project to conserve and display some fascinating objects from the Thomas Hardy collection – many of which have remained unseen in museum stores for years. These personal items will help people come to know Hardy as a man, not just as a writer. His grandmother’s kettle, for example, evokes an image of a young boy sitting by the fireside, listening to the wise old woman's stories; while the tombstone Hardy designed in later life for his beloved dog, Wessex, tells of his deep love for animals.
"By donating to this appeal, people can help to unlock the stories of the man who loved Wessex and so beautifully captured its landscapes and people in his writing."
Hardy was one of the greatest English writers of the Victorian era, his most famous novels being Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd.
Wessex Museums is hoping the appeal will raise £5,000 towards the specialist work needed to put on this ambitious exhibition. The Crowdfunder runs from 29 October to 3 December 2021. Details can be found here.