View of a large ship’s keel displayed in dry dock hall where viewers can get up close with is. A glass ceiling has been built at “water level” through which one can see the rest of the ship above.
November 21, 2016

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & A Ferry: My UK Adventure

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & A Ferry: My UK Adventure

This summer I spent three glorious weeks exploring museum collections, historic ships, archaeological and historic sites, and local cuisine in England and Scotland. Here’s the stats on this trip: 

  • 8 cities 
  • 22 museums & galleries (including 4 historic ships) 
  • 15 heritage sites (including archaeological sites) 
  • 2 17th century pubs (for Nonsuch Gallery research!) 
  • 380,504 steps (according to my iphone health app) 
  • 10 days of train travel 
  • 1 roundtrip ferry to Orkney 
  • 4 days of driving (eep!) in Orkney 

I went on this whirlwind trip with two major goals: to view collections related to the HBC; and to conduct research for our upcoming Nonsuch Gallery renewal.  I came back exhausted, but also incredibly inspired and I can’t wait to start pulling all of my photographs and notes together. 

For some folks my itinerary might seem a bit museum-heavy, but for a nerd like me it was heaven!  In fact I really only started to experience museum fatigue on my last stop, in Edinburgh (which just means I’ll have to go back!). 

So, did I achieve my goals?  YES! 

Viewing collections housed in other institutions is important to get a sense of what else is out there and learn more about the people collecting Indigenous artifacts during their employment with the HBC. Some of the artifacts I viewed were quite similar to ones here within the HBC Museum Collection, including some beautiful embroidery that was likely made by the same women from Norway House that made the pieces my colleague Maureen Matthews exhibited last year. 

I also had great meetings with people who care for Cutty Sark (in Greenwich), Victory and Mary Rose (Portsmouth). I feel quite lucky that our Nonsuch is indoors and does not have to deal with the elements which pose much greater conservation issues than what we deal with in our climate-controlled gallery! 

I hope to blog about specific stops along my journey as time permits so stay tuned, but here’s a small sample of photos!

Dr. Amelia Fay sitting in front of a table with several artifacts laid out in front of her, holding a shoe as she makes notes in a notebook.

Examining artifacts at the British Museum’s offsite storage.

A ram’s head with large curling horns that has been converted into a snuff mull with a jewelled container on the top of its head and light chains handing down from it’s forehead, connected to snuff tools.

A ram’s head snuff mull similar to ours in the HBC Gallery (Wellcome Collection, London)

Photograph looking up at a large crest and on a ceiling. The coat of arms bears two rearing elk either side of a shield with a beaver in each of the four sections of a cross. A fox sits above the shield, and a banner below reads, “Pro Pelle Cutem”.

The HBC crest can still be seen at Hudson Bay House, their former London headquarters.

View of a large ship’s keel displayed in dry dock hall where viewers can get up close with is. A glass ceiling has been built at “water level” through which one can see the rest of the ship above.

Impressive view of the Cutty Sark keel. 

A large docked ship with three masts. While there is full rigging in place, the sails are drawn up.

Cutty Sark in all her rigged glory! 

A close-up of the stern of a large wooden ship with “VICTORY” written across the back. In the background is a domed black building.

The stern of the Victory, with the Mary Rose gallery (the strange black orb) in the background.

A large wooden ship in light-beige wood with thick dark stripes. The ship has three masts and three levels of gun ports.

The Victory had a face-lift recently, they’ve done paint-chip analysis and these are her original colours!

Looking down into a large gallery full of glass display cases, with a wrap-around balcony-style second level. A sign at the top of the frame says “Pitt Rivers Museum / Anthropology and World Archaeology”.

If you visit the Pitt Rivers in Oxford give yourself lots of time!

Dr. Amelia Day wearing blue latax glove examining an artifact at a table. Several other artifacts sit on padding in front of her and in a tray beside her.

Looking at artifacts in Aberdeen, Scotland!

Looking into a large gallery space with a oval domed glass ceiling. Two wrap around balconies show second and third levels to the building.

The National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh) is a stunning building.

A mannequin wearing a jacket and light-coloured fur hat sitting in a small boat with a pack. Behind the mannequin is a large wall handing with the HBC Coat of Arms. The coat of arms bears two rearing elk either side of a shield with a beaver in each of the four sections of a cross. A fox sits above the shield, and a banner below reads, “Pro Pelle Cutem”.

Halkett boat diorama in the Stromness Museum (Orkney). A must-see museum for anyone interested in HBC!

A brass bell with a cord hanging from inside it suspended in a small wooden arch. “AMELIA” is engraved on the bell and a plaque belwo reads, “Ship’s bell from S.S Amelia / Loaned by Magnus Ritch”.

They let me ring the bell, it is my name afterall.

Dr. Amelia Fay

Dr. Amelia Fay

Curator of Anthropology & the HBC Museum Collection

Amelia Fay is Curator of Anthropology and the HBC Museum Collection at the Manitoba Museum. She received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Manitoba (2004), an MA in Archaeology…
Meet Dr. Amelia Fay