Beamish is an Accredited Museum, according to the national Museums Libraries and Archives Council's Accreditation scheme. Accredited museums must adhere to published minimum standards in how they care for and document their collections, how they are governed and managed, and on the information and services they offer to their users.
Beamish collections consist of material from all areas of the North of England, and include subjects as diverse as heavy industry, agriculture, domestic and working life, dress and textiles as well as all types of transport from horse drawn to steam locomotives. Not only objects, but also books, trade catalogues, photographs and oral histories are included. Collections which are not on display can be viewed in storage during regular tours behind the scenes at the Regional Resource Centre and Regional Museums Store.
All of the collections are Designated as of national importance. The Designation Scheme was launched in 1997 and identifies the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England's non-national museums, libraries and archives, based on their quality and significance. The Scheme recognises that organisations with Designated collections care for a significant part of England's cultural heritage. Museums with Designated collections are expected to work towards the provision of high quality services, which deliver the fullest possible access to their collections. Those in the Scheme are expected to help other institutions by sharing expertise, offering advice or lending objects or material.
Care of Collections
The museum has a duty to care for its collections. All items are carefully documented and as much information as possible is recorded about each exhibit. Information is essential for access, security, conservation, research and interpretation as well as for evidence of ownership. Beamish is committed to the conservation of its collection and works hard to ensure that all of the collections are looked after and accessible, whether on display or in storage.
Donations of Objects
The museum is greatly indebted to the people of the region, who have donated objects for the collections over the last forty years. We now have a wealth of material both in store and on display, and now are only looking to fill the gaps in the collections.
If you are interested in donating items for the collections, please check in advance to see if they are required. Regretfully the museum does not accept items on loan and cannot guarantee to display all objects.
The museum is always interested in adding to its collections of old photographs of the region, particularly local scenes, streets, towns, villages as well as people at work.
Volunteers
The Museum always welcomes extra assistance provided by volunteers, who help the museum in a number of ways. Some people like to wear period costume and assist with interpretation in the period areas, whilst others prefer to assist with the cataloguing and sorting of the collections “behind the scenes”. We greatly value the assistance of volunteers who allow us to undertake projects, which would otherwise not be possible. Click here for contact information.
The Friends of Beamish
The Friends of Beamish have supported the museum since the 1960s. Members come from all walks of life, and from throughout Britain and overseas with the common purpose of wishing to see the museum grow and to preserve their heritage. Click here for more information.