Collecting themes

We have developed a number of themes, which help to focus our collecting activities. We acquire items for the collection where they support one or more of the collecting themes. Our themes all relate directly to one over-riding principle - that we collect to record Leicestershire Life, past and present, in all of its variety. By reviewing, and perhaps changing the themes periodically, we can prioritise particular collecting areas or activities to respond to changing circumstances.

Our collecting themes up to 2008 are:

Natural Life

Collections of objects and records, which reflect the landscape, geology, archaeology, flora and fauna of the county: evidence of life in geological times, and the plants and animals found in Leicestershire today.

Home and Family Life

Collections which demonstrate the changing way in which local people have built, decorated, and managed their homes. The objects that people have used, treasured and surrounded themselves with in their everyday life, from the earliest times

Working Life

The working life collections reflect the social changes in work patterns over time - illustrating what it was like to work in days gone by, and what work was done. Also, the technology of work - what machines were used, what they were used for, and what was produced in Leicestershire's factories.

Town and Country Life

Leicestershire is predominantly a rural county, and the town and county life collections reflect the particular qualities of working on the land and earning a living from it, as well as giving insight into the villages and towns that sprang from these activities - their origins, their evolution and their various unique qualities.

Sporting Life

Sporting pursuits have long been an important aspect of life in Leicestershire, with particular emphasis on horses and the equestrian sports. Fox hunting first became an organised sport in the Melton area, and hunting has been instrumental in shaping both local landscapes and society. Loughborough is a centre of national sporting excellence. Collections of images, objects and ephemera tell the story of the importance of sports to Leicestershire and its people.

Creative Life

The collections of local prints, drawings, watercolours and easel paintings by local artists or depicting local scenes and people. Also examples of fine work by local craftspeople.
The fashion and textile collections are particularly important, and include the NEXT collection, developed in partnership with NEXT plc (a Leicestershire based company), and demonstrating one successful retailer's approach to high street fashion and the retail business. Also the Symington collection of underwear and foundation garments, acquired from the Mark Harborough based company on its closure.