"It is near impossible to imagine a million of anything, it's such a gargantuan number, but at English Heritage, when we took on the 400 historic buildings in our care, a million and more historic artefacts came with them, that is our reality." Kevin Booth, English Heritage's head collections curator, emphasizes the magnitude of the artefacts they are responsible for, which not only include priceless objects but also serve as a vital link to England's heritage.
"From storage to caring for, cataloguing, discovering, acquiring or putting on display, it's a huge and expensive undertaking, and we need the public's help." The difficulties faced by English Heritage are clearly articulated by Kevin Booth, as he outlines the extensive and costly labor involved in managing its collection, underscoring the need for public support.
The charity hopes the Million and More fundraising appeal will allow its staff to undertake new research on items in its collection. This includes the bones of what could be England's last wolf, which was buried at Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire in the 1500s. A large canine discovered could challenge our understanding of when wolves became extinct in England.
The items held in its storage facilities or on display at over 400 locations are an eclectic mix. They include a prehistoric stone core from Stonehenge, over 60,000 coins, 2,800 paintings, statues and sculptures, as well as personal items like a pair of Queen Victoria's stockings, all of which highlight the diversity and historical significance of the artefacts.
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