Collection: Long Shop Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Museum Collections consist of approximately 6700 objects, the great majority of which are owned by the Museum and relate closely to the Garrett Works and its links with the town and area. There is an important collection of photographs and documents, and some smaller objects. The majority of items in the collections date from the mid-late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. There are a few earlier items, particularly in the archive, and later twentieth century life is more strongly represented in the photographic and document collections. A few items and collections are on loan, such as Richard Garrett’s top-hats – on loan from Leiston Town Council.

  The collection can be summarised into the following categories:

  Garrett Products from two early sickles, through man and horse-powered machines (for instance seed drills, plough, winnowing machine) to steam-powered machines (saw benches, threshing machine), steam engines and steam tractors, to the diverse later products of the firm (industrial washing machines and dry-cleaners, mechanical toys, PYE electrical goods and ‘Alba’ and ‘Invicta’ machine tools). Much of Garretts production involved large engineering items – steam engines and agricultural machinery and implements, so these are a particular feature of the Collection.

  Tools and Equipment used in Garrett production – from a large C. 19th Whitworth lathe, to the tools of a variety of crafts and trades practised at the Works: the pattern-maker, carpenter, wheelwright, moulder, boiler-maker, engine-fitter, blacksmith and tinsmith, and in the foundry. This collection represents engineering and craftsmanship of all periods of the Garrett Works.

  Items connected with the Garrett Family including a small collection of 19th and early 20th Century family portraits, and a variety of other items, including a few personal items associated with Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.

  Photographic and paper archive An extensive collection. Photographs include Works buildings and workers from the early 20th Century to the closure of the Works and beyond. A large collection of Works’ printed matter from mid-19th Century onwards – brochures, parts lists, advertising posters etc. Some original manuscript items – cheques, bank books etc. are also held.

  Framed prints and other items on paper Small collection of (mainly) framed 19th Century prints connected with Garretts and the Works, and of items such as Union and Indenture certificates.Other Works and Local History items: various items associated with the company and the town of Leiston. These are mainly smaller items, with the notable exception of the Works Shunting Engine, Sirapite – which was used by the Works but not made here. Includes a significant collection of prize medals awarded to Garretts at a great variety of agricultural and trade shows around Britain and the World.

  Books and Journals: Some of these relate to Garretts and others cover related engineering themes (e.g. bound copies of ‘The Engineer’ magazine).

  Non- Garrett related items: and items of unknown provenance – a small part of the collection falls outside current/recent collecting policy, including some un-accessioned items (given temporary numbers) with little or no background information.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC