100 Years, 100 Objects: Stories from the Collections of Lancaster City Museums

64. Thomas Hutton Rawlinson Portrait

In this episode we talk with Melinda Elder to clear up a case of mistaken identity. Join us to find out more about the life of Thomas Hutton Rawlinson, a Georgian merchant from a prominent local family. 

63. Sunshine Recorder

We're pursuing a national pastime in this episode, talking about the weather! We chat to Dr Emma Eastoe from Lancaster University to find out more about the weather station which used to house this sunshine recorder in Morecambe and how measuring the weather today is crucial for adapting to the future. 

62. Dodshon Foster’s Diary

In this episode we speak to Ann Morgan about Dodshon Foster, one of Lancaster's most prolific slave traders, but also perhaps surprisingly, a Quaker. We look at the history of one man to explore how commerce, morality, and religion intersected in Georgian Lancaster. 

61. Warton Hoard Dirham

We're digging up information on a coin that travelled far across Viking Europe to end up in a hoard in Warton. Join us as we talk to archaeologist Dr Tom Horne to find out about Vikings, trading, and buried treasure. 

60. Medieval Crucifix

We delve into the world of medieval religion in today's episode where we look at this medieval crucifix to find out what it might have meant to the person who once owned it, and how religion in Lancaster has changed over the centuries. 

59. Power Station Padlock

This episode should prove to be electrifying! We speak to Professor Gordon Walker about this ceremonial padlock which was used at the opening of the Caton Road Generating Station in a time when Lancaster produced its own power at a site which still has ramifications for how we get our electricity today. 

58. 10th Century Comb

We're doing our hair Viking style in this episode. Join us as we speak with Adam Parsons of Oxford Archaeology to get the low down on the cutting edge styles of the 10th Century, when a comb was just a tool, but a fashion accessory. 

57. Felt Hat

Dress up in style and get out your top hat for this episode, where we talk to Christine Workman and Emma Holborn about the little-known hat making industry that thrived in the village of Wray for decades. 

56. Prisoner of War Carved Bone

A fascinating and beautiful object takes us into the Caton Road Internment Camp during the First World War in this episode. We talk to Professor Corinna Peniston-Bird from Lancaster University to find out more about the camp and its inmates, whose stories are often forgotten. 

55. Nursing Notebook

We chat to Dr Alejandra Zarate Potes from Lancaster University about a little gem in our collection, or should that be germ? This fascinating nursing notebook used by a student at the Storey Institute around 1902 can tell us a story about how medical knowledge evolved, and a golden age of discovery that helped save thousands of lives. 

54. Suffragette Hunger Strike Medal

Today's episode looks at the suffragettes and how their actions helped gain the right to vote for women in the UK. Rachael Bowers, Museum Manager at Lancaster City Museum tells us about this hunger strike medal, and the amazing woman that owned it. 

53. Boar Tusk Pendant

We're getting stylish, stone age style as we're joined by Claire Bradshaw, the archaeology and heritage officer for the Morecambe Bay Partnership to discuss this fascinating pendant worn by someone in the Warton area over 5,000 years ago. 

52. Morris Dancer Panel

Come with us as we lead you on a merry dance through history. Our object today is this beautifully carved panel which shows an early image of morris dancers. Join us as we talk to Andy Hornby and Bob Tyson who provide with the stories, and the sounds, behind this object. 

51. Lancaster Gazetteer First Edition

Read all about it! We're chatting to Rebekah Musk, a PhD student at Lancaster University to get the scoop on The Lancaster Gazetteer and General Advertiser, Lancaster's first newspaper that launched in 1801. 

50. Abolitionist Envelope

We're joined by Dr Alexander Scott from the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool to discuss an envelope used to advocate for the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and Lancaster's involvement in this trade. 

49. Fire Engine

We've got a hot episode for you today as we speak to James Houghton about our fire engine and find out all about this early life-saving device and how fire fighting was organised (or perhaps disorganised!) 250 years ago.   

48. Burrow Beck Photograph

Why not stream a podcast about streams? In this episode we talk to Professor Bronislaw Szerszynski about the history of Burrow Beck and the other streams that flow, or used to flow, through Lancaster. 

47. Lighthouse Reflector

We're shining a light on another aspect of local history in this episode where we talk to Victoria Petherick-Brian, Museum Assistant at Lancaster City Museums, about one of her favourite objects, a lighthouse reflector. 

46. Edmondson’s Ticket Printing Machine

All aboard to find out how a Lancastrian changed the face of rail travel for ever. We speak to Museum Manager Rachael Bowers about Thomas Edmondson and his revolutionary invention. If you love local history, and trains, this is just the ticket. 

45. Roman Dog Tile

Find out how animals have managed to leave their imprint on our history as we examine this Roman tile which features a dog's paw print. We speak to Harvey Fox about ancient pottery making in Quernmore and how Roman's interacted with, and loved, their dogs.