Designation Scheme facts for kids
The Designation Scheme is a special system in England that gives a "Designated status" to very important collections. These collections can be found in museums, libraries, and archives. They are chosen because they are super important to England's history and culture, and sometimes even to the whole world!
Arts Council England (ACE) is the group that manages this scheme. As of 2023, more than 160 collections have received this special status. However, big national museums, like the British Museum, are not part of this scheme because they are already considered nationally important.
How the Scheme Started
The Designation Scheme began in 1997. At first, it only looked at museum collections. One of the first stately homes to get this special status was Harewood House in 1998.
Later, in 2005, the scheme grew to include important collections in libraries and archives too. In October 2011, Arts Council England took over running the scheme, making sure these amazing collections continue to be recognized and protected.
What Kinds of Collections Get Designated?
Collections that get "Designated status" are very diverse. They tell us about many different parts of history, science, and art. These collections are like treasures that help us understand the past and present.
For example, some designated collections include:
- Art and History: Places like the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford have huge collections of art and archaeology. The Dulwich Picture Gallery in London also has a designated collection of famous paintings.
- Science and Nature: The Oxford University Museum of Natural History has amazing collections of plants, animals, and fossils. The Lapworth Museum of Geology in Birmingham also has a designated collection of geological items.
- Industry and Transport: The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has collections that tell the story of the Industrial Revolution. The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and the London Transport Museum have special collections of vehicles that show how transport has changed over time.
- Books and Archives: Important libraries like the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford and the Cambridge University Library have designated collections of rare books and manuscripts. Archives, like the BT Archives or the Mass Observation Archive, keep records that tell us about people's lives and big events.
- Specialized Collections: There are also very unique collections, such as the Bath Fashion Museum Collection which shows how clothes have changed, or the Museum of Design in Plastics which focuses on plastic objects. The Brontë Parsonage Museum has a collection related to the famous Brontë writers.
These designated collections are important because they help us learn, research, and enjoy the rich history and culture of England. They are carefully looked after so that people can continue to learn from them for many years to come.
See also
- Designated landmark (US)
