History call for Coniston
One of the Lake District’s best loved villages is hosting a travelling exhibition showing 12,000 years of human history and how the iconic national park landscape developed.
On a county-wide tour, ‘Unlocking the past, understanding the present’ is on show at the John Ruskin Museum, Coniston, where thousands of visitors flock over the summer months.
Lake District National Park archaeology and heritage advisor, Eleanor Kingston, said the exhibition would appeal to everyone interested in the area’s rich history. Special events are planned for the school holidays.
Eleanor explained: “They will give people the chance to handle real artefacts and find out more about our very popular collection of nine information panels, telling a story dating back to the Ice Age.
“Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the exhibition introduces archaeology in a fun, hands-on way. Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences and see interesting objects at close quarters.
“The exhibition has already gone down well at other libraries and museums around the county. We are hoping to reach as many people as possible and encourage them to be aware of the past and its influences on our lives today.”
The Lake District’s 2,292 square kilometres is rich in history and boasts 275 scheduled monuments, 1,749 listed buildings and structures and 22 conservation areas.
Curator of the John Ruskin Museum, Vicky Slowe, said: “We are very pleased to welcome this excellent display showing how a world renowned landscape developed and hope our residents and visitors enjoy the fascinating display.”
