In the last few years, we have started the long process of digitising the Fursdon costume collection. The costumes were discovered in a chest by David and Catriona Fursdon shortly after they arrived at Fursdon in 1979.
Stored badly, crumpled, and in various parts, they sensed something special, and, with help from a National Trust costume expert, identified the pieces as a remarkable collection of 18th and 19th century costumes – all worn at one time or another by members of the Fursdon family.
MOVING FORWARD
Over subsequent years, Catriona Fursdon, with help and advice from external experts and volunteers, has done a huge amount of work to catalogue, conserve and exhibit the costumes alongside various objects that are historically associated with the house and family.
Moving forward, we are now starting the long process of digitising the collection onto an online collections management system. This involves checking, photographing, describing and entering the location of each item onto the new database, alongside any notes regarding its history or conservation requirements. It is a long and arduous task (requiring many breaks!) but we are slowly making progress.
The hope is that the CMS will make it much easier to keep track of the location, condition, conservation requirements and exhibition history of each item, and help ensure their longevity for future generations.
VIEW THE COLLECTION
The costumes and historical artefacts at Fursdon are displayed on rotation as part of our annual exhibition that can be viewed as part of a guided house tour during our open season. Items from the collection are available to view outside of these times by special request.