Turning Green – Collections Toolkit

Turning Green – Collections Toolkit
Hilary McGowan & Jon Hall, 2008

It seems as if everybody is talking about greenhouse gases, the climate crisis, energy conservation, food miles, and threats to the environment – searching for answers and increased understanding.

Rural museums are about life and work in the countryside and how that relates to the environment around us. They are therefore incredibly well placed to make a relevant and engaging contribution to these discussions.

Back in 2008, the Rural Museums Network recognised the unique opportunity that Rural Museums had to interpret present day concerns about climate change using objects from the past – collections which may be medieval, 17th, 19th or early 20th century.

Hilary McGowan and Jon Hall created a collections toolkit that would give meaningful examples of where objects can be helpful and suggestions on how to explore these narratives to inspire discussion and greater understanding.

RMN Collections Toolkit Final
Hilary McGowan & Jon Hall, 2008

For more examples of how rural life museums have engaged with the wider sustainability agenda, please visit our Turning Green – Sustainability resources page.