Collection: Peace Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Peace Museum started collecting objects for the collections in 1994, call outs were placed in relevant peace associated newsletters and the collection rapidly grew from there. Initially the majority of items entering the collection were ephemera and archival materials. This early concentration on these object categories meant a need to shift the focus of the type of collecting, meaning from 2012 emphasis was placed on 3D over 2D items. Currently archival material is a low priority unless the material is of significant importance.

  Significant Acquisitions

  Some of the significant acquisitions into the collection are:

  • Masuteru Aoba Posters (1994.9-17)- a collection of colourful posters by Japanese artist Masuteru Aoba.
  • The Conchie (2001.92)-an oil painting of a Conscientious Objector and Army officials.
  • Joseph Rotblat Items-(2008.19)- a collection of personal items from Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Joseph Rotblat including robes, glasses and scientific equipment.
  • Thalia Campbell Textile Collection (2008.25.1-53)- a significant collection of banners that has been on long term loan to the museum since 2008. These banners vary in subject and period.
  • Axel Suitcase (2008.26)- Brown suitcase used by Axel Landmann in 1939 in the Kindertransport scheme.
  • Prisoner of Conscience Sculptures (2014.1-3)- A set of three large metal sculptures created by Malcom Brocklesby in memory of Bert Brocklesby a WW1 CO who was imprisoned at Richmond Castle.
  • Treaty of Versailles (2016.11)- Bradford copy of the Treaty of Versailles from World War One.
  • PAX Coin (2022.64) – Roman coin depicting PAX, goddess of Peace. 276-282BC

  Key Disposals:

  The museum has only had a few disposals from the collection.

  • Van (1996.276.1)- White Volkswagen Van used at Peace Camps. Stored offsite and disposed of due to poor condition and health and safety concerns as the van became a hazard. See Trustee Minute 2015/8.
  • Caravan (1996.277.1)- Halcyon Spirit Caravan used at Upper Heyford Peace Camp. Stored offsite and disposed of due to poor condition and health and safety concerns as the caravan became a hazard. See Trustee Minute 2015/8.
  • Films collection (1999.32-275)-a large collection of videos and films that were stored at Yorkshire Film Archive. In 2008 YFA were no longer able to store them and they were transferred back to Concord Media who were the original donors. The museum determined this as the method of disposal as the films could not be used/stored by the museum.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Peace Museum collection consists of over 16,000, including graphic and fine art (watercolour and oil paintings, prints, banners, flags, batik wall hangings, and peace posters from around the world), photographs, videos, slides and a range of artefacts and archives.

  The collection predominantly relates to:

  • Peace history from the First World War to the present, such as anti-war placards from the 1930s, artefacts relating to the lives of First World War conscientious objectors, artefacts relating to the Nobel Peace prize, and a wide range of items of peace movement and disarmament memorabilia from the 1950s to the present day, including diaries, photographs, badges, songbooks, camp artefacts etc.
  • The Collection’s material on inter-faith and intercultural understanding includes calligraphy, art and artefacts from different religious traditions such as the Baha’is and the Religious Society of Friends,
  • A collection of personal stories, documented with photos and videos, reflects Bradford’s heritage as a city for peace and the active peace-making work of Bradford’s communities today.

  The collection of the Peace Museum is the only one of its kind in the country and is a unique and valuable resource.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC