Blog - Leeds Museums & Galleries

The Tiger Who Came to Leeds

Clare Brown

12 April 2021

The tiger on display at Leeds City Museum is one of our most well-known and popular objects. Curator Clare explores its troublesome origins, and how it came to be in our collection.

Autistic Experiences in Museums

Sammy Jaques

30 March 2021

Volunteer Sammy is an autistic person, and is passionate about helping museums understand how to be more accessible.

Decolonising the Curriculum

Kate Fellows

24 March 2021

Our learning team work closely with schools to shape, change and develop the curriculum, so that the pupils in our city are told whole and diverse stories at primary school.

Lanuvium and the Leeds Blitz

Jane Collins and Caroline Elvin

12 March 2021

This notebook contains lists of objects unearthed from the rubble left by the Leeds Blitz in 1941. But how did they come to be here in the first place?

Dead Inspiring Women in Science: Rachel Carson

Natasha Murray

08 March 2021

Celebrate International Women's Day with the story of scientist Rachel Carson, who exposed the harmful effects of pesticides.

Memorialising the AIDS Crisis

Aleks Fagelman

26 February 2021

LGBTQ+ communities, archives and museums are fighting to make sure that silenced queer experiences of the AIDS crisis are remembered.

Happy Birthday Decimal Currency

Kat Baxter

15 February 2021

50 years ago we swapped shillings for pounds. Kat Baxter explores the switch to Decimal Currency through objects in our collection in our latest blog.

The Howdills of Hanover Square

Duncan McCargo

16 December 2020

Duncan McCargo has been researching the lives of The Howdill family, who lived on Hanover Square in Leeds from 1907 to 1993. The twist: they lived in the house he now lives in!

A Tale of Teazles

Rob Welborn

26 November 2020

Volunteer Rob teases out the fascinating history of teazles and their importance to many industries in our latest blog.

Nature Prevails at Kirkstall Abbey

Joe Williams

27 October 2020

Kirkstall Abbey, despite it's turbulent past, is now a peaceful place for personal reflections. Joe Williams explores its history in our latest blog.

Thwaite Watermill at 30

Chloe Fowler

14 October 2020

Thwaite Watermill is of the last examples of a working water-powered mill in Britain, and 2020 marks 30 years since it became a museum. Visitor assistant Chloe Fowler shares it's fascinating history.

West Yorkshire’s Local Authority Museums: Supporting the West Yorkshire Economy

Leeds Museums and Galleries

14 October 2020

New figures show that last year, West Yorkshire’s local authority museum services were visited by...

Bai Bureh and Sierra Leone

John McGoldrick

05 October 2020

John McGoldrick tells the inspiring story of Bai Bureh, the Sierra Leone chief and military leader who led the revolt against colonial taxation.

Re-framing our Dress and Textile Collection: Everyday cotton

Vanessa Jones

29 September 2020

Vanessa Jones explains how intrinsic slavery was in the production of cotton goods in the final post in our Re-framing the Dress and Textile Collection series.

Open Minds with the Preservative Party

Esther Amis-Hughes

24 September 2020

Leeds City Museum's young volunteers, the Preservative Party, have been working hard during lockdown on a new display exploring mental health.

Re-framing our Dress and Textile Collection: A toile

Vanessa Jones

16 September 2020

In the second blog post in our Re-framing the Collection series, Vanessa Jones explains how this historic textile shows the exploitation of African slaves and Native Americans in the aftermath of the American Revolution.

Leeds City Museum sounds out city ahead of new musical display

Leeds Museums and Galleries

14 September 2020

Singers and performers from Leeds are being asked to help capture the sound of a...

Re-framing our Dress and Textile Collection: Embroidered maps

Vanessa Jones

02 September 2020

Many textile objects that reflect black history are historic pieces. In this blog, curator Vanessa explains why our embroidered maps are so closely linked with the transatlantic slave trade story.

City’s museums and galleries welcome back visitors

Leeds Museums and Galleries

26 August 2020

Museum-lovers in Leeds can rediscover millions of years of history now council-run venues across the...

Conservation in Lockdown

Emma Bowron

25 August 2020

Whilst our venues were closed during lockdown, our collections still needed caring for. Conservator Emma talks us through how our objects and historic houses were looked after.

Dead Inspiring: Insect collections and empowering young scientists

Milo Phillips

19 August 2020

Our Dead Inspiring project will inspire a new generation of female scientists and conservationists, and show that entomology is a subject for everyone to be a part of.

South Asia at Leeds Museums & Galleries

Adam Jaffer

03 August 2020

Curator Adam Jaffer highlights some of the gems in our world cultures collection for South Asian Heritage Month.

Follow the Money! Acknowledging Colonialism in Leeds Industry

John McGoldrick

22 July 2020

Industrial history is steeped in colonialism, which is too often brushed over in museum collections. Curator John McGoldrick says it's time museums account for where and how our industries have flourished.

Community craft packs for Lotherton locals

Lotherton

09 July 2020

Lotherton's assistant community curator Stephanie Davies has devised a creative way to keep in touch...

How Museums Can Help Schools With Recovery Curriculums

Kate Fellows

08 July 2020

Lockdown has disrupted education for school pupils. Kate Fellows explains how museums and galleries are able to lend a hand to help schools bridge the gaps.

Decolonisation and Natural Science Collections

Rebecca Machin

24 June 2020

Objects in our collection were often discovered by people who aren't acknowledged in their descriptions. Rebecca Machin explores why, and what we need to do about it.

Behind the Picture Gallery at Temple Newsam

Julie Holroyd

18 June 2020

Get to know the history behind the impressive Picture Gallery at Temple Newsam.

Leeds During WW2

Chloe Fowler

12 June 2020

Discover the story of Leeds during the Second World War, in our latest blog by Chloe Fowler.

Let’s Talk About Segs

John McGoldrick

27 May 2020

Find out why the soles of your shoes owe their longevity to a factory in Armley, in our latest industrial history blog.

Youth Engagement in Museums

Esther Amis-Hughes

21 May 2020

Why should museums do youth engagement? Why not! This blog gets to the root of why engaging young people in what we do is so important.

Humans of the Leeds Pals

Peter Taylor

13 May 2020

Discover the fascinating lives of 'Leeds Pals' Arthur Eschle, Leonard Baruxaki and Richard Dales, who joined the the 15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment in World War One.

Gloves: Fashion and Meaning

Vanessa Jones

06 May 2020

From social etiquette to fashion statements, swot up on the history of gloves with curator Vanessa Jones, with objects from our Dress and Textiles collection.

Inside the Colour Garden at Leeds Industrial Museum

Chris Sharp

29 April 2020

The Colour Garden at Leeds Industrial Museum helps volunteers to improve their own wellbeing by improving outdoor spaces. Catch up on how the garden's looking in this wholesome read by Chris Sharp.

Third Class to Pandharpur

John McGoldrick

22 April 2020

Curator John McGoldrick tells the story of an unhappy traveller on the Basri Light Railway in India, on a pilgrimage in the 1930s. Find out how Leeds Forge Company was to blame...

Make your own Museum Window

Catherine Robins

15 April 2020

Join people across Leeds creating their own Museum Windows for themselves and others to enjoy. Help Leeds City Museum collect new Leeds stories!

Smallpox and Temple Newsam

Josh Turner

09 April 2020

Discover the history of smallpox in this blog from Josh Turner, including how one unlucky Viscount of Temple Newsam contracted it in the 1700s.

Frank Kidson and the Sounds of Our City

Chris Nickson

01 April 2020

Sounds of Our City, the wonderful, shiny new exhibition has just opened at Abbey House Museum, looking at music over the centuries in Leeds.

A Long-finned Pilot Whale Skeleton

Clare Brown

18 October 2019

Learn the story behind our whale skeleton, heading for Leeds City Museum, and what we can learn from the bones.

Intervening in the Woodwork Exhibition

Alana Jelinek

09 October 2019

Artist Alana Jelinek writes about the artistic, community intervention into our Woodwork exhibition.

Do Your:bit in Leeds

Izzy Bartley

09 October 2019

Find out about our coding workshops for young people, as part of the BBC's digital making challenge.

Samurai Swords at Leeds Discovery Centre

Natascha Allen-Smith

13 September 2019

Discover the fascinating history behind the Samurai Swords in our collection.

Creating a Sustainable Exhibition

Ruth Martin

06 August 2019

Discover how we kept sustainability at the forefront of our Beavers to Weavers exhibition.

Armistice & After: a creative commemoration programme in Leeds

Lucy Moore

05 August 2019

Read about the success of our Armistice & After programme, which involved local communities and volunteers.

The Origins of the Gascoigne Family

Chris Bovis

12 July 2019

Delve into the stories and myths surrounding medieval residents of Lotherton, the Gascoigne family.

Bringing WW1 Photographs to Life in 3D

Helen Hesketh

09 July 2019

Find out how we've created 3D videos from wartime stereoscope cards, and see them on display.

Irene Manton and Ida Roper

Clare Brown

01 July 2019

Irene Manton and Ida Roper were two brilliant women botanists collecting plants in two very different ways.

Gentleman Jack and 19th Century Sleeves

Vanessa Jones

20 June 2019

Vanessa Jones gives context to the costumes featured in the new BBC One drama, Gentleman Jack.

Record Shops in Leeds

Fran Sharp

10 June 2019

Discover the impressive history of record shops throughout Leeds.

Leeds Festival and its Posh Predecessor

Ellie Parmenter

22 May 2019

Ahead of the upcoming Music exhibition in 2020, Ellie Parmenter has uncovered an early predecessor to the Leeds Festival we know today.

We want your #LeedsThreads

Vanessa Jones

02 May 2019

We want you to send us your #LeedsThreads for next year's shopping exhibition at Leeds City Museum.

Celebrating Cistercian Women

Kat Baxter

08 March 2019

Discover more about the daily lives of the monks of Kirkstall Abbey from archaeology curator Kat Baxter's recent visit to a Norwegian Cistercian monastery.

Female Representation in Natural Science Collections

Rebecca Machin

06 March 2019

Rebecca Machin celebrates the beautiful and amazing females animals here in the collections of Leeds Museums and Galleries.

The Youth Collective Explore Works on Paper

Angie Thompson

28 February 2019

The Youth Collective have been working on an exciting new project on women’s representation of women.

Schools Loan Boxes – The Space Box

James Ward

21 February 2019

Our schools loans box membership scheme is now up and running with over 25 boxes to choose from, with subjects ranging from the Ancient Greeks to chocolate.

Who Should Write our Object Labels?

Amanda Tinker, Ruth Robbins, Olivia Santovetti and Stella Baraklianou

07 February 2019

With over 1.3 million objects, we've been exploring the different ways that our audiences interpret them.

Letters to John Joseph Cotman

Brian Richardson

29 January 2019

Discover the fascinating trove of letters from the archive of Sydney Kitson in Leeds Art Gallery.

Teacher Training Research Shortlisted for National Creative Learning Guild Award

Kate Fellows

03 January 2019

Find out how we train arts savvy teachers for the future.

The Forgotten Street Traders of Georgian and Victorian Britain

Natascha Allen-Smith

26 November 2018

Street vendors were an inherent aspect of Victorian Britain, but often forgotten...

The Origins of the Gascoigne Family

Chris Bovis

14 November 2018

Chris Bovis navigates the largely destroyed history of the Gascoigne family.

Cross-Dressing, Elopement and Travels with Percy Shelley: the extraordinary life of Margaret King

Natascha Allen-Smith

24 October 2018

Whilst digitising our collection, we discovered a publication whose author has a very interesting history...

Sculpture and Microscopic Photography

Deborah Gardener

09 October 2018

Collections and Contingency is an exhibition of sculpture and microscopic photography by Deborah Gardner, placed in and around the fascinating artefacts and specimens in our store at Leeds Discovery Centre.

Leeds Migration Stories

David Harrison

12 September 2018

Discover the colourful histories behind our city's many communities with David Harrison.

The Children of the 1891 Fancy Dress Ball: The Passavant Women

Joshua King

14 August 2018

Miss Nora Passavant dressed as 'The Leeds Daily Papers' at the 1891 Fancy Dress Ball. Joshua King explores the life of Nora and the rest of the Passavant women.

Beavers to Weavers: The Wonderful World of Animal Makers

Rebecca Machin

07 August 2018

Discover the message behind Leeds City Museum's latest exhibition, about what animals do and how they live their lives.

Growing for Colour: The Leeds Industrial Museum Gardens

Callum Rushworth

18 July 2018

Every week, volunteers from the local community gather to work on and maintain the Colour Gardens at Leeds Industrial Museum.

The Preservative Party Visit Berlin

The Preservative Party

11 July 2018

The Preservative Party, Leeds City Museum’s group for young volunteers, tell us about their recent trip to Berlin.

The Children of the 1891 Fancy Dress Ball: Wilfred Nicholson

Joshua King

15 June 2018

The second in our 1891 Fancy Dress Ball series, this time on the life of Wilfred Nicholson who attended dressed as Mephistopheles.

Samson Fox and Leeds Forge: From the Banks of the Aire to the Cote d’Azure

John McGoldrick

01 May 2018

Discover the immense influence of Samson Fox, who made his fortune through pioneering products manufactured by Leeds Forge.

Conserving a Tibetan Headdress

Karen Horton

26 April 2018

A rare Tibetan headdress with gorgeous turquoise and coral stones has just been conserved for display in Himalayan Fashion by Karen Horton.

Leeds Infirmary and the 1868 National Exhibition

da-admin

24 April 2018

In May 1968 the Leeds Infirmary (now the Leeds General Infirmary) opened its doors at its current location on Great George Street. However, its first visitors were not in need of medical attention but art lovers.

The Children of the 1891 Fancy Dress Ball: The Scarborough Loe’s

Joshua King

16 April 2018

The first in a series exploring the children who attended the Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball at Leeds Town Hall in 1891.

The Bomb that Struck Leeds City Museum, 1941

Zoe Buckberry

13 March 2018

On 15 March 1941, Leeds City Museum - as it stood in it's original spot on Park Row - was struck by a bomb.

Alicia Walton and the Role of the 19th Century Superintendent of Nurses

Rebecca Fallas

08 March 2018

While looking for objects associated with Leeds General Infirmary, Rebecca Fallas was drawn to a picture of this kindly looking but clearly formidable woman.

The Bones of Home Education and Museums

Natalie Haigh

15 February 2018

Natalie Haigh reveals the positive impact of running workshops for home educating families.

Chimney Sweep Portraits in the Social History Collection

Leila Prescott

13 February 2018

Explore the portraits in our 'Sweepiana' collection of items relating to chimney sweeps with Leila Prescott.

Mary Wood: Dewsbury’s Wool Queen

John McGoldrick

25 January 2018

Uncover the story of Mary Wood, Dewsbury’s Wool Queen from 1931-32, in light of the Queens of Industry exhibition.

Sandford Awards for Heritage Education

Kate Fellows

19 January 2018

Leeds City Museum, Temple Newsam House, Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey all gained the 5 year Sandford Award for Heritage Education.

Our New Primary School Membership scheme

Kate Fellows

18 January 2018

It's here! Find out everything you need to know about the three levels of membership.

Farewell to ‘Skeletons’ at Leeds City Museum

Kat Baxter

11 January 2018

On 7 January we said goodbye to our final visitors to the last leg of the exhibition tour, developed in partnership with Wellcome Collection and the Museum of London.

The Bird Egg Collection

Claire Miles

04 January 2018

Claire Miles explores our LMG's Bird Egg collection during her placement with our Natural Sciences Collection.

The Yorkshire Highlights of Skeletons: Our Buried Bones

Kat Baxter

21 December 2017

Katherine Baxter explores the Yorkshire skeletons in Skeletons: Our Buried Bones at Leeds City Museum.

Leeds Museums and Galleries gets International

Tejshvi Jan

08 December 2017

Tejshvi Jain, founding director of ReReeti, describes her experience at LMG during a visit to the UK.

Heart of a Lion and the Hands of a Lady: Lord Moynihan of Leeds

Rebecca Fallas

24 November 2017

Discover the story of the famous Leeds surgeon, Lord Moynihan, who had 'the heart of a lion and the hands of a lady'.

Inspired by Nepal

Antonia Lovelace

22 November 2017

Uncover the adventures of Curator Antonia Lovelace as she embarks on a field trip to Nepal, to add to our extensive World Cultures collection.

Framing a Watercolour

Claire Firth

13 November 2017

Explore the different framing trends for watercolour paintings through the John Sell Cotman exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery.

Skeletons: Coming Face to Face with the Past

Emma Bowron

07 November 2017

Conservator Emma pieces together the Dalton Parlours (AD 200 -370) skull on display in the Skeletons: Our Buried Bones exhibition.

Elections Through our Collections

Patrick Bourne

02 November 2017

Explore how parliamentary elections in Leeds have changed over the last three centuries through our collections.

How Do Museum Objects Impact Children with Special Needs and Disabilities?

Sarah Allen

25 October 2017

Sarah Allen explores the impact of museum objects on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Matchbox or Communist Propaganda?

Radka Tobolkova

13 October 2017

Discover the propaganda secrets contained inside our matchbox collection, with Radka Tobolkova.

Installing Skeletons: Our Buried Bones

Ruth Martin

22 September 2017

Curator Ruth Martin answers the age old question: what does it take to change the temporary exhibition gallery from one show to another?

Arthur Louis Aaron: A WW2 Hero From Leeds

Jessica Hammett

18 September 2017

Uncover the heroic story of Arthur Louis Aaron: an RAF pilot from Leeds who "set an example of devotion to duty which has seldom been equaled and never surpassed".

Lighting up Leeds: The Story of George Bray & Co

Bryn Pickles

07 August 2017

Discover the history behind Leeds businessman George Bray, the 19th century gas lighting pioneer who changed the face of Britain.

Monopoly: The Leeds Edition

Chelsea Knight

20 July 2017

Explore the fascinating history of the nation's favourite board game with placement student Chelsea Knight.

Lotus Flowers in Leeds

Libo Zhu

10 July 2017

With the summer in full swing and flowers in full bloom, Libo Zhu explores the symbolism and histories behind the Chinese Lotus artefacts in our World Cultures collection.

John Sell Cotman’s Watercolours: Kitson, Cotman and “Hicky”

Brian Richardson

03 July 2017

Volunteer Brian Richardson explores Leeds architect Sydney Kitson’s critical eye in assessing the watercolours of John Sell Cotman.

Anonymous Women in the Collection

Nicola Pullan

22 June 2017

Assistant Curator of Social History Nicola Pullan reflects on the many unamed women in the collection on #Stories day of #MuseumWeek.

4000 Miles, 400 Pictures, 1 Year and 1 Man With An Obsession

Linda Bower

08 June 2017

Volunteer Linda Bower explores Sydney Kitson's obsession with collecting and documenting the work of artist John Sell Cotman.

Dying Matters: Marking Burials

Kat Baxter

31 May 2017

Curator of Archaeology Kat Baxter dishes the dirt on fascinating stone grave markers in the collection from burials in Leeds, going back thousands of years.

Imagining Little Red Riding Hood

Kitty Ross

23 May 2017

Social History Curator Kitty Ross explores the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and it's many illustrations, in light of the Fairy Tales and Fantasy exhibition at Abbey House Museum.

The ‘Cotmania’ Archive: From Leeds to the Web

Karen Mackie

16 May 2017

On John Sell Cotman's 235th birthday, volunteer Karen Mackie explores how Cotman's work was obsessively researched by Sydney Kitson, who meticulously recorded his findings in a collection of journals known as 'Cotmania'.

A Springtime Walk: Exploring our Natural Environment

Rebecca Machin

11 May 2017

Curator of Natural Sciences Rebecca Machin takes us on a walking tour to explore the delicate balance of springtime, in light of the "For All Seasons" exhibition at Leeds City Museum.

Interview with artist Lothar Götz

Lothar Götz

09 May 2017

With Leeds Art Gallery's crowdfunding campaign at full steam ahead, we sat down with the artist behind the campaign Lothar Götz to find out more about him, his work and his vision for the iconic Victorian Staircase.

Fashionable Yorkshire: Rosetta Rowley’s Story

Kay Eggleston

05 April 2017

“Rosetta grew up in Bradford and lived through the Second World War and its aftermath. She was part of a working-class family. Her clothes are simple yet stylish"

Working with the John Sell Cotman Collection: Shelter from the Storm

Hondartza Fraga

13 March 2017

Resident artist Hondartza Fraga begins her 'Cotmania' blog series by exploring the collection and it's context, ahead of Leeds Art Gallery's reopening in Autumn.

Fashionable Yorkshire: Preparing the Mannequins

Kay Eggleston

01 March 2017

Ahead of its opening in 2 weeks, Costume and Textiles intern Kay Eggleston gives us a behind the scenes look at preparing for the Fashionable Yorkshire exhibition!

Re-thinking John Sell Cotman

Jane Speller

20 February 2017

Project Archivist Jane Speller explores'Re-thinking John Sell Cotman', the major project currently taking place at Leeds Art Gallery.

Lord Darnley: On the 450th Anniversary of his Murder

Megan Jones

09 February 2017

Megan Jones explores the life of Lord Darnley – who was born at our very own Temple Newsam - on the 450th anniversary of his murder.

Dying Matters: The Day of the Dead Festival

Antonia Lovelace

31 January 2017

World Cultures Curator Antonia Lovelace explores newly gifted Mexican Day of the Dead Festival items for the collection!

‘Iris’ (1886) by John Atkinson Grimshaw

Eveleigh Bradford

30 January 2017

Local historian Eveleigh Bradford explores one of Atkinson Grimshaw's most entrancing paintings

Celebrating Australia Day through Leeds Museums objects

Antonia Lovelace

25 January 2017

In celebration of Australia Day, World Cultures Curator Antonia Lovelace explores Australian objects from the collection.

Joash Woodrow – A Hidden Life in Pictures (Part 3)

Liz Kay

10 January 2017

Liz Kay's final instalment in her 3 part series about the life and work of artist Joash Woodrow looks at his later years in Leeds. In 1955 Woodrow returned to his family home, which would evolve into his unique artistic studio and retreat from the world, where familiar surroundings provided limitless fuel for his creativity.

Conservation Volunteers at Leeds Discovery Centre

Emma Bowron

10 January 2017

With the closing of one exhibition comes the opening of another, and our helpful team of dedicated Conservation volunteers have been keeping themselves extremely busy with caring for the objects involved in the changeover at Leeds City Museum. Conservator Emma Bowron tells us more about what exactly this entails.