Collectors
This section explores the stories behind the people who had a passion for collecting. Every collector has their own motivations for collecting, whether it's for scientific and historical study or just for a love of collecting those objects. Read on to find out about their lives, what they collected and what made them so enthusiastic about their chosen collection.
T. R. Ferens (part 1)
The name of Ferens is well-known throughout Hull. The city's Art Gallery bears his name, as does one of the main roads through the city, 'Ferensway'. It is quite surprising then that although he was a generous benefactor, successful businessman and M.P. in the city, he was not actually born in Hull, but in County Durham. Read on to find out more about his life.
T. R. Ferens (part 2)
The name of Ferens is well-known throughout Hull. The city's Art Gallery bears his name, as does one of the main roads through the city, 'Ferensway'. It is quite surprising then that although he was a generous benefactor, successful businessman and M.P. in the city, he was not actually born in Hull, but in County Durham. Read on to find out more about his life.
The Mitchell Collection of Costume
The Mitchell Collection is one of the most extensive and impressive collections of costume Hull Museums' own. From corsets to capes and bodices to boots, the collection contains many exquisite examples of historic costume. Explore the history behind the collection and how it came to be in Hull Museums.
Eva Crackles 1918-2007
With a passion for botany and scientific precision, Eva Crackles collected specimens of flora from the East Riding for most of her life. The Herbarium she created is part of the Museum's collections, but what was the driving force behind it? The life of Eva Crackles can be explored here.
History of Hull Museums (part 1)
This story looks at the origins of the Council's Museum service which began in 1900 when it took over responsibility for the collections developed by the Literary and Philosophical Society. The following year saw the appointment of Thomas Sheppard as its first curator and began a period of rapid growth and development.
History of Hull Museums (part 2)
The Museum of Commerce and Transport was opened on High Street in 1925 as the first of its kind in Britain. Sheppard was given the Old Corn Exchange building on High Street (now the Hull and East Riding Museum) to set up the museum, and persuaded local firms to carry out the work on the museum for free. It was filled with a transport collection which included carriages, trams, cars and a plane, some of which he begged from other museums.
Drawing on Hull's Past - The F.S. Smith Collection (part 1)
Hull's Old Town is an historic area that even today includes many Georgian and Victorian buildings. F.S. Smith created many drawings of its streets between around 1880 and 1920. Some show some early timber-framed buildings that no longer exist. Others depict familiar sights of today like the King William III statue.
Drawing on Hull's Past - The F.S. Smith Collection (part 2)
Hull grew rapidly outwards from the Old Town from around 1800. F.S. Smith captured the look of the streets in his drawings between 1880 and 1920. They reveal a city of contrasts, showing the housing and workplaces of both rich and poor. He also took his sketchbook to outlying villages and drew them.
Thomas Sheppard
Read about Thomas Sheppard, the 'father' of Hull Museums, from his upbringing in North Lincolnshire, his early interest in geology, his appointment as curator of Hull Literary and Philosophical Society's Museum and his part in the development of Hull's museums.
Madame Clapham: Hull's Celebrated Dressmaker
Madam Clapham was Hull's most celebrated dressmaker. She established her business in 1887 in Kingston Square, and continued until her death in 1952. Read on to discover how she developed her dress making business, when she reached the height of her fame and how she became a Court dressmaker.
Cecil Wright Mason (1884-1964)
With a passion for geology and natural science, Cecil Wright Mason collected specimens of natural history from the East Yorkshire region throughout his life. His extensive natural history collection is now part of the Hull Museums' collections. Read on to explore the history of his collection.
William Constable (1721-1791)
William Constable is famous in the East Yorkshire area for his eighteenth century Cabinet of Curiosities. He collected many objects from works of art to natural history specimens, some of which are now part of the Museums' collections. Read on to find out about the life of William Constable and the history of his collection.
