BEDFORD MUSEUM
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Bedford Museum moves into the 21st Century

Bedford Museum is currently working on a major project with the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery to transfer all of its object documentation onto a new computer system. The operation at the museum involves the recording of information on over 40,000 objects ranging from stuffed animals and Roman coins to lace bobbins. This information is vital to museums, as it is the information behind the objects that is needed by researchers and allows the museum to tell the stories behind the objects.

The project is bringing to light many fascinating objects, some of which have not been properly examined and recorded since they entered the museum, in some cases over 100 years ago. A computer’s ability to rapidly sort objects will allow much easier research on the collections in future. As well as the usual information recorded on objects the new system can also record images and even oral reminiscences from people associated with the objects.

So far 7,000 objects have been recorded over a range of subject areas. This work has been completed by existing museum staff and by Lydia Saul, a new team member employed for the next 2 years thanks to the same Heritage Lottery Fund grant which paid for the computer system.

The finished project will allow the public far greater access to the museum’s collections. This will initially be via a computer terminal in the galleries, allowing access to information and photographs of the parts of the collection computerised so far. Eventually it is hoped this will be extended to an Internet link placing most of the museum’s collection on line.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund

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