A new curator has been appointed at Keswick Museum and is looking forward to helping the attraction bounce back from the impact of COVID-19.
Nicola Lawson has worked in the museum sector since 2015 and takes on her new role as part of the museum’s £125,000 Exhibitions 2020 project.
It is supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Friends of Keswick Museum and has seen the two main galleries within the museum transformed.
Nicola was previously graduate trainee curator at the Beacon Museum in Whitehaven where she developed exhibitions such as Edith Brown: Medicine Woman, part of the Celebrating Women of Cumbria project.
She undertook a masters degree in museum studies at the University of Leicester and has a BA in English literature, so she particularly loves working with Keswick Museum’s Robert Southey collection.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, embroidery and visiting other museums, and is a member of a local book club.
Nicola is excited to assist the museum in its recovery from the impact of coronavirus and to help it retain its accredited status.
She will be working with the museum’s dedicated volunteers to develop an exhibition of the artwork of James Durden — particularly the famous portrait of his daughter, Betty.
The museum is currently open noon-4pm daily, which allows it to be COVID-secure, and is gearing up for its new events programme, including storytelling sessions and a Where’s Wally trail.
Nicola said: “I have lived in Cumbria for five years and I absolutely love its varied history.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Keswick Museum at such an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to working with their wonderful collection.”
The museum, which was founded in 1873, is home to a collection that represents Keswick and the surrounding area, covering topics such as social history, art, archaeology, literature, geology, natural history and industrial history.
