Rishi Sunak officially opened new Kiplin Hall collection

TODAY’S Object of the Week is actually a collection of historic domestic objects at a 400-year-old house museum in North Yorkshire.

Kiplin Hall, between Northallerton and Richmond, is well known for its historic collection. The art, furniture and possessions of the four families who have lived at Kiplin over the last 400 years provide a fascinating window into the lives of social elites in the past.

Now, Annie Marchant’s collection has been newly acquired by the museum following her sad death at just 68 years old last year.

This collection of Victorian kitchen and dairy objects – including a knife cleaner, pictured below – will allow the museum to explore the lives of the everyday people who lived and worked on the estate. A large kitchen and dairy on the site were unfortunately demolished in the 1970s.

This Victorian knife cleaner is just one of the objects featuring in the Annie Marchant collection, newly acquired by Kiplin Hall

This temporary exhibition is the first phase of the project to give the Annie Marchant Collection a new home.

The exhibition explores how and why museums collect, and how those collections are cared for and preserved for future generations.

Project Officer, Alice Rose, said: “Annie Marchant was a lively and generous woman with a passion for the past.

“Her collection was entwined with her daily life and the things she cared about. Reuse and recycling, growing your own and preserving produce after harvest. She held much in common with the custodians of Kiplin Hall, past and present.”

A gift box was created for guests to enjoy during the virtual launch at home, containing baking fresh from the Tea Room at Kiplin Hall. A a Wensleydale cheese scone, Kentish apple chutney (a direct link to Annie’s home county), a savoury Victorian ginger biscuit, a Bakewell Tart scented candle from The Yorkshire Candle Company and a commemorative coaster with a Victorian recipe for jam fingers!

The ‘exhibition opening in a box’ gifts were sent to guest through the post to bring some joy during the lockdown

The new exhibition ‘Introducing the Annie Marchant Kitchen and Dairy Collection’ was due to open along with the rest of the hall yesterday (Friday, March 5), with a VIP launch event the day before.

Although the grand opening could not go ahead due to the lockdown, staff were determined to share their celebrations, giving the new collection the welcome it deserves.

In order to celebrate virtually a short film has been made about the making of the exhibition. It features The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond and Chancellor of the Exchequer, officially opening the exhibition, which will be ready to receive visitors as soon as lockdown restrictions allow.

In the film Mr. Sunak speaks of his affection for Kiplin Hall & Gardens, a place he visits with his family, and congratulates the staff and volunteers at Kiplin for their efforts to bring the project to fruition under lockdown conditions.

Last year Kiplin Hall and Gardens enjoyed record visitor numbers in July, August, September, and October as the public re-discovered destinations on their doorsteps.

It is hoped this success will continue once lockdown is eased this year. This new exhibition is just one part of the developments taking place at the heritage attraction now, and in the future.

Director, James Etherington, added: “Along with the Annie Marchant exhibition inside the hall, we have made many improvements to the site over winter thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding.

“Expecting indoor visits to be problematic as lockdowns are eased visitors can get a flavour of the history of the house via newly installed outdoor displays in the gardens.

“We have three new bird hides being built allowing people to better observe wildlife in their habitats. A huge thank you to the players of the National Lottery for making that possible.

“Newly cut paths in the parkland also allow visitors to stretch their legs further around the site, taking in views from the Hambleton Hills across to Richmondshire.

Kiplin Hall’s extensive grounds reopen to visitors on Monday 29 March, just in time for the easter holidays

“Along with her collection Annie left a generous sum to the museum to care for it. This exhibition is just the first part of major plans to expand the displays at Kiplin and the visitor experience both in the Hall and Gardens in the next five to ten years.

“We are very grateful to Annie for her generous gift which has kick started the funding process, and we hope that the public will enjoy the exhibition and developments to come in the future.”

* Kiplin Hall and Gardens is set to reopen its grounds on Monday, March 29, with the museum opening just as soon as restrictions allow.

Always follow government advise on travel and visit the website www.kiplinhall.co.uk for the most up to date information on opening times as these may be subject to change at short notice.