I came to the Harris in November last year to work specifically on the Industrial Revolutionaries exhibition open at the Harris from 26th June to 6th November 2010. My job involves historical research, creating fun activities for the exhibition and organising a programme of events for the duration of the exhibition. The thing I love most about my job is working in the stunning Grade I listed Neo-Classical building with some fascinating collections. I have the opportunity to work with a variety of different people within the Harris including the library staff, specialists and education team.
I have previously worked at the Hat Works museum in Stockport, a town famous for its 19th century hatting industry. I have a strong interest in industrial history and the role here at the Harris was perfect in allowing me to use my museum experience and learn more about the rich industrial heritage in the North West.
Already I have learnt lots about the history of the city of Preston and the historically important events that happened here. The exhibition opening at the end of June will capture the truly revolutionary nature of some individuals in Preston including Henry Hunt, Preston’s first radical MP in 1830 and Preston born Richard Arkwright, inventor of the water frame - arguably the start of the cotton industry’s revolution. On display will be some iconic objects, some of which have never before been seen by the public. Preston was the first provincial town to have street lighting in the early 1800s and a recently conserved tram wagon, salvaged from the river Ribble in the 1970s, that was once used to transport coal used to make the gas for lighting will be on display for the first time. Other exhibits include Joseph Wright of Derby’s portrait of Richard Arkwright, a portrait of Henry Hunt MP, a Temperance teapot, pattern books, specially recorded versions of street ballads plus historical footage of Preston from North West Film Archive.
Out of all the roles I have had in museums, exhibition work is my favourite as they can help visitors to gain access to the stories the objects in the collections can tell us. I am excited to be involved in Industrial Revolutionaries exhibition project at the Harris and working towards raising the profile of Preston city heritage within Lancashire and the North West.
Stephanie Murfin
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