Archive for July, 2012

Animal Magic Mobile Petting Zoo visits Hertford Museum

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

This Saturday we’re having a special Animal Day at Hertford Museum and it’s absolutely FREE!

Rocky the Green Wing Macaw

The wonderful people from Animal Magic are going to bring some of their animals along for you all to come and see including Parrots, a White Face Owl,a Python, a Bearded Dragon(!), a Cane Toad, long haired Guinea Pigs (who like to be groomed!) and Mouse Town with all of its tiny inhabitants.

Long Haired Guinea Pig


Sally the Royal Python

If the weather is right for him we’re also hoping to have Tiny Tony the Pony in our garden.

Tiny Tony the Pony

The day is all free and you can just drop in but we’re going to be having timed entry slots for visitors so that the animals don’t get overwhelmed! It’s first come first served and the time slots will be between 11.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

So come along to the museum and meet all of the animals (and take a look at the one’s in our Natural History collection as well while you’re here!) and don’t forget that you can download our Six Weeks of Summer Fun leaflet from our website.

A Bearded Dragon!

Because the safety & happiness of the animals is the most important thing we can’t guarentee that any specific animal will be present on the day but we do promise there will be plenty of animals to meet!

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Archaeology at Hertford Museum

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

One of the largest collections we have at Hertford Museum is our archaeology. We have over 2370 boxes of archaeology and 285 archaeological archives stored on nearly a kilometre of shelving!

Our archaeology is kept in our off-site store so we in this blog we’re giving you a little over-view of what we have and how we take care of it! We’re also working to put together a new Museum Talk on the highlights of our archaeology collection which will be bookable by groups (keep an eye on our website for more news!)

Archaeology Stores

We have 2 large store rooms to accommodate our ever growing archaeology collections.

The archaeology is stored by material type as different materials such as metals require specific temperature and humidity levels to help prevent deterioration. We regularly monitor the environment in all our store rooms.

Archaeological Archives

Excavations produce large amounts of paperwork as well as objects. We catalogue and care for paper records, plans and drawings and photographs and make them available to researchers.

Documenting Archaeology

We are individually numbering and recording our archaeology collections with help from our volunteers. Every object has to be catalogued and photographed and packed and stored appropriately.

Metals such as iron are stored in airtight boxes with silica gel. This draws out any excess moisture in the box which would cause the finds inside to deteriorate.

Other finds such as ceramics and glass are well packed with acid free tissue.

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Open Day at the Museum Stores- Saturday 14th July 2012

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

This Saturday Hertford Museum is opening its Stores to the public to allow everyone to see what goes on behind the scenes!

In most museums the objects on display only the tip of the iceberg and Hertford is no different. We have more than 80,000 objects in our collections and although we were able to increase the number of objects on display at the museum hugely during our redevelopment we still only have around 5% on permanent display.

On Saturday visitors will be able to see inside our stores, discover how work is progressing in our new library, talk to volunteers who help us care for our objects and see a complete roman corn dryer (the only one you can visit in the world!), which was moved from Foxholes Farm where it was discovered to the Seed Warehouse to keep it safe and accessible.

The Seed Warehouse is in Maidenhead Yard which is just off the Wash, opposite the Theatre (post code: SG14 1PX) and will be open from 11am – 3pm on Saturday 14th July.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll be able to see on Saturday:

Cher, our carnival Kakapo, has found a new home in our Natural History Store...

... which she shares with lots of animals including this grinning crocodile skull!

We have big doors in our Large Object Store...

... and tiny doors in our Small Object Store.

Our new library is slowly being filled with books...

... and there are some lovely views of the river

There are sewing machines for dolls...

... and sewing machines for people.

There are pieces of buildings long since pulled down...

... as well as a complete Roman Corn Dryer, the only one in the WORLD!

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The Olympic Torch comes to Hertford!

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

This Saturday, 7th July the Olympic Torch Relay will be coming through Hertford!

You can look up the exact route of the torch on the London 2012 website but it will be arriving in Hertford around 10:15am and travelling along Fore Street, down Market Street and then back along Railway Street before heading out along the Ware Road.

If you’re in town to see the Torch go by then we’d love to see any photographs you take to add to our collection!

We have lots of photographs showing the range of Hertford’s sporting past so here are a few to get you in the Olympic mood!

Tennis courts in the Hertford Castle Grounds c1910-1915

Hertford Cricket Club, 1889

Hertford Criterion Cycle Race, Hertford County Day, passing the Sportsman pub

There’s even a connection between the area and the 1908 London Olympics- Lord Desborough was one of the funders of the 1908 Games and he sold part of the Panshanger Estate to help raise money for it. He was also a keen sportsman himself and represented in England at fencing in the 1906 (Intercalated) Summer Olympics in Athens.

1908 London Olympic Stadium (courtesy of HALS- DIERV F25)

And don’t forget it’s the first Saturday of the month so it’s a Stay and Play Saturday when we’ll have lots of toys out in the Andrews Room as well as some Sports themed colouring activities.

Stay and Play Saturday in the Andrews Room

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