Press release: for immediate use.
New Exhibition at Dove Cottage: Grasmere and the Great War
15 November 2014 – 1 March 2015
‘France and Belgium seemed a long way off, more than "t'oother side o' Kendal," a common measure
of distance in the mind of the old folks’ (Mary Augusta Ward, Wordsworth’s Valley in War-Time,
1915)
A new exhibition, Grasmere and the Great War, will be on show at The Wordsworth Museum next
door to Dove Cottage in Grasmere this winter (15 November 2014 – 1 March 2015).
Opening in November, the exhibition will explore Grasmere’s contribution to the First World War,
both on the home front and in the trenches. At home in Grasmere, tourists still visited the village in
great numbers almost as if there was no war on, whilst aid parcels were being sent to the soldiers
and rationing was implemented.
In the thick of the fighting, twenty four Grasmere men and one woman were killed and many more
were wounded. The village lost a much higher proportion of those who served than the national
average.
The exhibition focuses on the individual stories of Grasmere people who contributed to the war
effort, providing a fascinating insight into the reality of Grasmere during the Great War. Exhibits
range from letters and scrapbooks, to medals and military items. The exhibition will give a snapshot
of the community and its traditions before the war, then moves on to the preparations for war and
the sacrifices of those who served.
The exhibition will cover events in the trenches and on the home front, looking at the contributions
of Grasmere women during the war. It will conclude with sections dedicated to the village’s peace
celebrations and the story of Grasmere’s war memorial.
Visitors to Grasmere and the Great War will be able to explore a database which records people,
places and objects relating to Grasmere’s part in the Great War. It is populated with much of the
research the Grasmere History Group has compiled. There will be a computer terminal in the
exhibition where visitors can find out about the battles of the First World War, those who fought in
them, the places and journeys of those involved.
A picture resource can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o2c1oq4o2p660t6/AABf2FQfpHWzBD0ITz4E6F-ca?dl=0
- ENDS For further information, please contact Paul Kleian or Lucy Preston on 015394 35544 or by email at
p.kleian@wordsworth.org.uk or l.preston@wordsworth.org.uk
Notes to editors:
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Dove Cottage in Grasmere, Cumbria is the iconic former home of William Wordsworth,
where he lived and wrote his most famous poetry.
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Dove Cottage, the Wordsworth Museum and Art Gallery are open daily from 9.30 am to
5.30 pm (last admission 5 pm). Winter opening hours apply November to February. Both
the Cottage and Museum are closed for three weeks during January for restoration. Please
check our website for details www.wordsworth.org.uk
The Jerwood Centre is open by appointment to all with a research interest.
The work of the Wordsworth Trust is funded by a combination of income from visitors to
Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum, donations from private and corporate
sponsors and trusts, and Arts Council England.
The Wordsworth Trust produces a varied and exciting programme of events and
exhibitions throughout the year. Details from www.wordsworth.org.uk or phone 015394
35544 for a brochure.