Collection: New Forest Heritage Centre

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Museum was conceived in 1979 to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the designation of the New Forest by William the Conqueror and opened in 1988. Artefacts were collected for its permanent exhibition on the social history of the Forest, particularly focusing on the practice of commoning.

  Alongside the Museum, the Trust began to build a comprehensive library of New Forest specific books, maps, photographs and postcards. The collection grew to such an extent that a purpose-built reference library the Christopher Tower Reference Library (‘the Library’) was opened in 2004.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2021

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Museum collections

  The New Forest Heritage Centre has artefacts relating to the natural, social, economic and cultural histories of the New Forest including:

  Agriculture, forestry and commoning tools and implements

  • Archaeology objects
  • Commemorative objects
  • Domestic material including toys
  • Local industry and textiles
  • Military and wartime objects
  • Paintings, prints and other artwork

  The majority of the collection relates to the 19th and 20th centuries, but some relates to earlier periods.

  The natural environment forms a key element underpinning human activity throughout the Forest. Therefore, a limited number of natural history specimens are held as supporting material.

  The New Forest Heritage Centre also holds a small number of significant architectural or interior objects such as a large mirror that was once hung in Cuffnells, the home of Alice Hargreaves née Liddell. Alice is said to be the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

  Several of the items in the categories listed above are not unique items and are suitable for handling collections.

  Library collections

  The Library holds books, papers, photographs, postcards, pamphlets, maps and ephemera as well as films, multi-media and oral history recordings which relate to the New Forest and the immediately adjoining area. It also holds some archival material but collections with substantial manuscript archival material are being deposited with the Hampshire Record Office on a case by case basis, ownership remaining with the Trust. There is also a collection of reference material to provide context.

  Handling collections

  The Museum holds natural and social history collections used for educational purposes. Objects include:

  • Branding irons
  • Animal skulls
  • Taxidermy
  • Commoning objects e.g. pony reflective collars, livestock ear tags
  • Agisters’ jackets

  Artefacts, objects, books etc. are used for display, study and education at all levels within the Museum and Library.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2021

  Licence: CC BY-NC