The Quaker Tapestry Museum
Part of the work of the Quaker Tapestry at Kendal is to provide insights into the many important issues of Quaker history, which have had an impact on British social history from the 1650s to the present day. As an accredited museum, one of the ways that this is achieved is by adding, protecting and presenting associated artefacts alongside the panels of embroidery that are the main focus of the Exhibition.
The Quaker Tapestry has its collection of artefacts on site. Consisting of around 500 articles of clothing, samplers, embroideries and a variety of other domestic items, these artefacts have been gifted by a wide range of donors both Quaker and non-Quaker, local to Cumbria and further afield.
There is also an archive collection of documents, photographs, samplers etc associated with the making of the embroidered panels, although currently, only about 20 of total 77 panels have a significant amount of material relating to them. The embroidered panels, which have been on display since 1994 when the Quaker Tapestry at Kendal was established, are not the property of the museum, being on loan from the Quaker Tapestry Scheme.
Collecting policy
While always willing to consider acquiring additional artefacts that represent Quaker heritage for its collections, the Quaker Tapestry at Kendal recognises its responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the Accreditation Standard will be met. Limitations on collecting imposed by such factors as staffing, storage and care of collection arrangements are taken into account.
Loans out
The Quaker Tapestry is happy to arrange loans out where it judges it appropriate to do so. Loans are usually restricted to galleries and museums which meet the conservation standards required for care and safety of the collection. Loans will normally only be considered for temporary exhibitions and the exhibition's importance, public benefit, historical and Quaker interest will be taken into account when deciding if the loan should take place.
Contact Sheila Williams on sheila@quaker-tapestry.co.uk or telephone 01539 722975 for more details.