Mabel Colhoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mabel Remington Colhoun
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| Born | 2 November 1905 |
| Died | 1992 Derry
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Mabel Colhoun (born 1905, died 1992) was a very important person from Derry, Ireland. She was a pioneer in many fields. Mabel was a talented photographer, a dedicated teacher, and a keen archaeologist. She helped us learn a lot about the history and culture of Ireland.
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Who Was Mabel Colhoun?
Mabel Remington Colhoun was born on November 2, 1905, in Derry. Her parents were John Colhoun and Lizzie Johnston Gordon. Her family originally came from a beautiful area called Inishowen in County Donegal.
A Passion for Teaching
Mabel trained in a special way of teaching called the Froebel technique. This method focuses on learning through play and activities. She became a teacher and was the first principal of the Preparatory Department. This was at the Londonderry High School. She started working there in 1936 and retired in 1969.
Mabel also started her own school in Deanfield, Derry. She worked hard to set up many nursery schools. This happened throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She was the leader of the Londonderry Nursery School Association.
Exploring and Protecting History
Mabel loved to travel and explore. In the 1920s, she visited the ancient pyramids. In the 1930s, she hiked in the tall Alps mountains. She also explored the north of Ireland by bicycle.
Mabel spent a lot of time in Inishowen, where her family came from. She recorded many archaeological sites and old stories. Many of these had never been written down before. Her work was published in a book called The Heritage of Inishowen.
Mabel didn't just record historical finds. She also worked to protect them. She made sure that important monuments were safe. She even recovered some that were at risk. People nicknamed her "The Ferret." This was because she was so good at finding all the small details.
Her Amazing Archive
Mabel created a huge collection of historical materials. This included her writings, sketches, and thousands of photographs. These collections were later given to the Tower Museum in Derry. The museum has held special exhibitions of her work.
Her photos show ancient monuments and also everyday life in Ireland. They cover the years from the 1930s to the 1980s. An archaeologist named Denise Henry is now working to make all her photos digital. In 2017, Mabel was honored with a special blue plaque. The Ulster History Circle placed it on the Tower Museum. It recognized her as an "educationalist, historian, and archaeologist."
