#Museum From Home

#MuseumFromHome is a whole day focused on the UK’s museums during lockdown. Spearheaded by BBC Arts and the Museums Association, experts from across the sector will be sharing their thoughts today on the ideas, collections, activities and exhibitions that they love across social media and BBC channels.

In honour of the occasion our Director, Lizzie Dunford, and Collections and Interpretation Manager, Sophie Reynolds, have each recorded a short video clip, giving a glimpse into some of the most treasured objects in the collection at Jane Austen’s House.

Lizzie narrates a tribute to ‘one of the most significant objects in the entire history of English literature’ – the tiny table where Jane Austen wrote and revised her novels for publication.

Sophie’s video tells the story behind Jane’s ‘simple, modest’ gold and turquoise ring. It is one of only three pieces of jewellery that Jane Austen is known to have owned – all of which are on display in the House.

The short videos allow viewers from Britain and around the world to virtually experience parts of Jane Austen’s beloved home, where she lived and wrote. They give a small taste of what can be expected from a visit to the House itself, whilst still allowing people to remain safely at home during lockdown.

The ring and writing table video clips join our growing bank of online resources, including our ‘Treasures from the Collection’ videos, and The Collection pages which can be found on our new website, launched earlier this month. Online visitors can see and learn about objects ranging from books and letters to pieces of furniture, clothing, paintings and (yes!) even a ‘Clueless Doll’ – one of the many objects celebrating Jane Austen’s legacy.