A History of the World
Rocking Horse at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
The first light bulb, a Nissan Bluebird and a Maori chief - these are all objects that tell a history of Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland and its place in the world
BBC Newcastle and museums across the region have revealed the list of 20 objects they have chosen to tell a history of the area and its place in the world. The list of 10 objects for Wearside can be seen on the BBC local site www.bbc.co.uk/wear and the list for for Tyneside and Northumberland can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/tyne. All of the objects are on display at the relevant museums.
The list of objects for Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland is part of the wider A History of the World project formed out of a unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country.
Bill Griffiths Manager of the North East Regional Museums Hub says:
"This is a very exciting project highlighting just a tiny fraction of the many fascinating and important objects in our region’s museums which collectively contribute to the story of the history of the North East and its place in the world”.
"Listeners and viewers will be asked to suggest further objects and can actively participate by uploading photographs of their own objects that have a local or global appeal. At the end of February 2010 it is hoped that each BBC local website will have an additional 'People's 10 Objects' telling the history of their region and its global connections.
BBC project manager for the Nations and English Regions, Seamus Boyd, says
"A truly fascinating range of objects has been chosen for each list across English regions. Some of them may have great monetary value, others little or none, but they're priceless in how they bring to life moments from history. This initial collection is just the blueprint to which we hope viewers and listeners will add their own objects and help to create a truly unique and vibrant tapestry of the past."
Museums in Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland will be holding events in February half-term to celebrate A History of the World. At Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens there will be an event on Monday 15 February between 10am and 4pm. The Tyneside and Northumberland event is being held on Friday 19 February in Discovery Museum's Great Hall between 10am - 4pm.