The Harris Volunteers: Working With The John Weld Collection

A magnifying glass is held over a historic book.

Ann, who has been volunteering for the Harris for 15 years now, would like to tell you a bit about an exciting project she has been involved in recently behind the scenes, as part of her life as a Harris Volunteer.

Two people study a text from the Harris' collection.

I have been privileged to undertake a wide variety of activities, including family workshops, a welcomer and as a Costumes Collections Champion. This year, knowing my skill in transcription and calligraphy, the Harris’ Fine Art Curator, Lindsey McCormick, invited me to assist in the transcription of a portfolio written by John Weld in the mid 19th century. This information will contribute to an exhibition in 2025. It also demanded my knowledge of Latin, of ornithology and of the geography of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I have also learned how to input the information to the digitised records of The Harris Collections.

My obvious enjoyment of this task has led to my being invited to continue to record other portfolios by John Weld. One never knows when those long ago school lessons may be recalled, encouraged by the skilled and appreciative Harris staff!

John Weld (1813 – 1888) was a Victorian landowner, antiquarian, naturalist and amateur painter who lived at Leagram Hall near Chipping. During his lifetime, he made detailed records of many aspects of his local area and beyond. The portfolio Ann has been working on is a thick ledger titled “Flora and Fauna of Leagram and Neighbourhood”. To find out more about this project, click here.

Harris Your Place

Harris Your Place is a £16 million project set to restore and reimagine the Harris for 21st-century audiences as a cultural learning space. The aim of this project is to protect the building and the architecture for future generations whilst enhancing accessibility options and positioning the Harris as a community hub for Preston and Lancashire.

The capital project is more than simply preserving this much-loved building; Harris wants to ensure that it remains a vibrant heart of the community. A place where people want to spend their time.