Collection: The Armitt

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Armitt was originally founded as a library in 1912 following a bequest of books and money on the death of Miss Mary Louisa Armitt. In her will, she expressed a wish that a museum should eventually be established. The Armitt incorporates the Ambleside Book Society established in 1828 and the Ambleside Ruskin Library established by Hardwicke Rawnsley in 1882. Other significant cultural figures associated with each of these groups, included John Ruskin, Frederic Yates and Mr and Mrs Heelis (Beatrix Potter).

  During the 20th century, various social, local and nationally important objects were collected, including artefacts recovered from the Ambleside Roman Fort, Lake District guidebooks and an important collection of original artworks were also donated.

  The Armitt has been based in a number of different locations in Ambleside, starting in a small cottage on Kelsick Road in 1912, moving later to The Orchard on Lake Road, then into rooms above the newly-built public library, and finally into a purpose-built museum thanks to a successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid in 1997.

  Since then, The Armitt’s museum, gallery and library have been open to the public and the collections, based on the life and culture of the Lake District, have continued to grow

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Armitt’s collections comprise some 76,000 items including books, photographs, artworks, manuscripts, maps and archaeological and other objects of Lake District significance. Many items have been donated to The Armitt by benefactors with strong local links.

  Some of the most important and recognised aspects to the collection are:

  • Items originally belonging to Mary Louisa Armitt and her sisters, Annie and Sophia. These include books, artworks by Sophia, manuscripts, and personal objects.
  • Guidebooks and artworks covering the discovery of the Lakes donated by Alderman Henry Plummer, including first edition guides and large folios of William Green artworks. These include a collection of all his published works, and a large group of substantial working pencil drawings, the most comprehensive in the world.
  • Fungi, archaeological artefacts and natural history artworks by Beatrix Potter – over 300 pieces that have been exhibited nationally and internationally.
  • Documents, books, and artefacts related to educational pioneer Charlotte Mason who set up her House of Education in Ambleside in 1891, now the site of the University of Cumbria’s Ambleside campus.
  • An extensive photographic collection that spans glass plate negatives, magic lantern slides, paper photographs, and photographic equipment. Most of these illustrate aspects of Lakeland life and activities, such as farming, landscapes, village events, studio portraits, and climbing.
  •  Archaeological finds, predominantly those from excavations during the 20th century at Ambleside’s Roman Fort and nearby vicus (settlement), but also prehistoric finds such as hand axes from the Langdale valley.
  • Kurt Schwitters artworks, mainly from the period when he was living and working in/around Ambleside, and mostly comprising paintings of local scenes.
  •  Items linked to other notable Lake District figures, including letters from and to John Ruskin and WG Collingwood material.

  The collection as a whole is almost entirely items on paper or other 2-dimensional formats with the majority dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC