From 2008 – 2013 Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Derby Museums and Strutt’s North Mill, Belper worked in partnership on Enlightenment! Derbyshire setting the pace in the eighteenth century, a Heritage Lottery Fund supported ‘Collecting Cultures’ project.
The project enabled the three museums to purchase objects for their collections relating to 18th and 19th century Derbyshire, a period of scientific and industrial innovation in the region. Richard Arkwright was building his first water-powered cotton mills in the Derwent Valley, Derby Porcelain was producing fashionable and popular tableware and artists and writers were flocking to the area.
More information and details of acquisitions can be found on the project blog at www.enlightenmentderbyshire.wordpress.com
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery 