Wan Bel: Papua New Guinea and The Box
The Box is partnering with organisations across the globe to mark Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence. A new display in the 100 Journeys gallery replicates the country’s national emblem using items from the collection: a taxidermy bird-of-paradise, a spear, and a characteristic kundu drum. Together these objects form an emblem that represents the country’s unique wildlife and rich cultural heritage.
Collections Insight: Polar specimen gives staff the shivers
This specimen from the herbarium at The Box certainly gave some of the Collections Team the shivers when they came across it recently while they were carrying out an inventory. It’s Cerastium alpinum, more commonly known as Alpine mouse ear or Alpine chickweed, and although it might look pretty humble, it has connections to some historic events and people – and a sad and somewhat gruesome tale of failed survival.
Collections Insight: Plymouth and Poland Connections
In 1976, a twinning agreement was established between Plymouth and the Polish city of Gdynia to promote international cooperation. It strengthened bonds that had been forged during the Second World War and has included many cultural exchanges since. As part of our ‘Remember Respond Resist’ exhibition, a display in our first floor Bridge gallery features items from the archives that relate to this relationship between Plymouth and Poland. Here are a few of the highlights.
Inspired by Smeaton’s Tower
As we get ready to re-open Smeaton’s Tower for summer 2025, we’re taking a look at some of the items on display in our Port gallery that have either been inspired by or connected to key moments in the story of this iconic lighthouse.
Carnivalesque in the Far South West
The display cases in our Active Archives gallery are currently full of information and objects that explore the theme of carnival and its related traditions in the South West. They’ve been created in response to our ‘John Lyons: Carnivalesque’ exhibition and include some brilliant loans from local organisations and individuals as well as items from The Box. Here are five objects from the collections to look out for next time you visit!
Carnival Queen costume
The Carnival Queen is usually the star of any carnival procession and this 1930s costume once worn by ‘Miss Plymouth’ can be seen on display in our ‘Carnivalesque in the Far South West’ display until 23 March. Discover more about it and the woman who wore it.
Did local tin kickstart the European Bronze Age?
Devon and Cornwall are sometimes portrayed as a bit of a back water. In prehistory, when great changes occur, Britain is usually seen as being on the periphery. Things arrive from elsewhere and we’re on the outer ripples of innovation. But could there be more to the far South West than meets the eye?
Castle Street ceramics help shed light on Commercial Wharf finds
At the beginning of 2022 Plymouth Archaeology Society noticed that 17th century ceramics were being uncovered during repairs to a harbour wall at Commercial Wharf. Their investigation revealed evidence about the sequence of building at the site and was featured in an episode of the BBC’s ‘Digging for Britain’.