Dear Friends
EST.
1593
MUSEUM & ARCHIVES
STONYHURST’S AWARD-WINNING MUSEUM IS OPENING AGAIN! After two years of lockdown, we are delighted to announce that the Stonyhurst Museum will be opening doors to visitors in July and August 2022. We are opening with quite a splash, featuring two new exhibitions. Hot Holy Ladies tells the story of the unsung work of a variety of fascinating 17th century English Catholic women who ensured the rescue of numerous medieval objects and manuscripts targeted for destruction during the Reformation era. The description Hot Holy Ladies was originally a sarcastic insult aimed at those women who used ingenuity and considerable courage to support underground Catholic priests at a time when their religion was illegal. These remarkable women also created an extraordinary group of richly embroidered and dazzling vestments for the underground priests, using their jewellery as well as gold and silver threads, sequins and rich fabrics, many of which will be on display in the Museum.
A Rich and Rare Memorial showcases a sumptuous cloth of gold Cope, commissioned by King Henry VII in 1495 for use in Westminster Abbey. It escaped the destruction of the Reformation and arrived at our school in 1609. It is the foundation of our 400-yearold museum collection. In late August 2022 the Cope is touring the US from New York to San Francisco, so this summer is the last chance for some time to see this magnificent vestment. In this exhibition are many artefacts celebrating the widely varying collections at Stonyhurst: Thomas More’s gold and enamel reliquary, Joe Jackman’s Victoria Cross from Tobruk, Tudor and Stuart royal artefacts, fossils and stone age weapons, plus a fascinating collection of natural history specimens including a spectacular Mexican tarpon fighting fish!
We will be open from 8th July until 20th August on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am until 4pm. To make things easier for you, we have set up an online booking system with tickets; simply scan the QR code with your smartphone or tablet. On this page you will also discover more about exciting volunteer opportunities with the Stonyhurst Museum. We have missed you over the last couple of years and look forward warmly to welcoming you back.
Best wishes
Jan Dr Jan Graffius FSA Curator of Collections and Historic Libraries
MUSEUM & ARCHIVES