12 September 2019 to 23 February 2020
Dairying has been at the heart of the Wensleydale economy since records began and still thrives today. This exhibition is the culmination of a two year project to research and share the story of this unbroken thread. The local community has shared personal stories and collections helping to bring the wonderful historic dairying artefacts and archive photographs in the Museum collection to life.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supported the Dairy Days project.
Thirty local farmers or cheesemakers shared their memories in recorded interviews for the ‘Dairy Days’ exhibition, and farm account books have been studied and photographs brought to light.
These audio and visual treasures were placed alongside traditional cheese and butter making tools in an exhibition which told the full story of dairying in Wensleydale from its beginnings seven thousand years ago up to the present day.
Dairy Days Project Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Karen Griffiths, said: “We have recorded hours of people’s memories and stories as well as gathering a unique collection of historic photographs from local families. Put alongside the research which has taken us right back to cattle farming in prehistoric times the exhibition is a remarkable insight into Wensleydale’s dairying past.”
Find out more about the project on the Dairy Days blog:
www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/category/wensleydale-dairy-days/
Also you can download a booklet here:
