Islington Council is asking lovers of art and culture, and people who would like to learn more about the borough's cultural history, to pay a visit to the local museum in Upper Street (next to the Town Hall) to collect a voting form and tell the council what is their favourite artefact and which they find the scariest. Votes must be cast before 14th August and people who take the time this summer to vote for their favourite items will be entered into a prize draw.
Staff are also appealing for residents to contact them if they have an object with an interesting, funny or unusual story attached to it and would like to contribute to the borough's heritage by donating or lending it to Islington Museum to display.
The Museum currently has over 1,300 items in its collection and with more than 16,000 people visiting it in the last year alone, library staff are keen to know which items people like the best. Museum staff think the scariest item in the collection is the 'Doctor's Plague' mask and want to know if local people agree with them.
In September, the Museum will exhibit the top items that residents have voted for and give a full account of their history. The plans for the new Museum will also be on display as well as any new objects that have been donated or loaned.
Earlier this year Islington Museum was awarded a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a purpose built, permanent home for the first time. Museum staff are hard at work preparing the plans and look forward to people visiting it in its new location at Finsbury Library in St John Street in early 2008.
The artefacts and objects can be viewed at the Museum on Upper Street or on-line by visiting www.islington.gov.uk. Residents can also collect a voting form from their local library. More information about events that are taking place in libraries this summer, as well as the September exhibition, is available by ringing Contact Islington on 0207 527 2000.
Ends
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008