Huddersfield Students get Hands-On with History at Pennine Heritage

On 28th February a group of students from the University of Huddersfield’s “Hands on History” unit came to Pennine Heritage to put theory into practice by learning to handle objects from our collection. While the South Pennine Archives primarily include archival documents and photo negatives, we also hold a few small object collections, including a collection of photographic and projection equipment which compliments our digital photo archive. A selection of this photographic equipment was the focus of the workshop, in which students received training from our Heritage Manager in how to properly handle historic objects.

Once the students had received their training, they had the chance to examine cameras, lenses, light meters and flash bulbs up-close, conduct some primary research into the objects, and discuss how they might approach putting together an exhibition. This helped them understand how the theories they had been learning in their course could be applied in a real-world heritage setting. This is the kind of valuable practical training that can be offered when education institutions work in partnership with community organisations.

Pennine Heritage’s relationship with the University of Huddersfield is being developed through our new Knowledge Transfer Partnership, which will create many opportunities for students to get involved in our work. We hope this will be the first of many student workshops delivered at the Birchcliffe Centre.