Thanks to an intriguing environmental history project in Leeds, hundreds of thousands of antique plants and flowers that have been carefully preserved for centuries are set to be revitalized.
Collected over the past 200 years by botanists and horticulturalists, these precious specimens, primarily gathered from parks and grasslands in east Leeds, are stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre. Local residents and workers from the areas where these plants originally grew will now have the opportunity to study them. This initiative bridges the gap between past and present, linking communities to their ecological history and fostering a deeper connection with their natural heritage.
Supported by a grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, the innovative Dead Plant Society project is a collaborative effort between Leeds Museums and Galleries and the arts and social change charity Space2. This initiative will delve into the vast 250,000-item collection housed in Leeds.
Participants will not only examine historical specimens but also collect new ones from the field to enrich the museum’s collection. They will explore stories tied to their community and track changes in nature and biodiversity in Leeds over the past two centuries. By comparing contemporary specimens with historical ones, experts aim to assess shifts in pollution levels and air quality in east Leeds throughout the years.
Clare Brown, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of natural sciences said:
“Our herbarium collection is not only a remarkably beautiful resource, it’s also a hugely important and detailed record of how plant life and the natural world in Leeds have evolved over the past 200 years.
“Connecting this amazing collection with people living in the places where these beautiful plants once grew will enable them to connect with their local history, including discovering the different ways people in east Leeds may have used these plants in the past for everything from food to medicine.
“It will also help us build a better understanding of important issues like climate change and local biodiversity and how they have affected the city. We’re extremely grateful to the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund for their support in helping us bring this wonderful project to life.”
The tradition of creating herbarium sheets, a method for preserving plants and flowers, originated in Italy in the 15th century and has been used for over 600 years. In this process, plants are collected in the field, arranged flat between thin sheets known as flimsies, and then dried between blotters or absorbent paper. When properly maintained, herbarium sheets can preserve botanical specimens for centuries.
Space2, an award-winning arts and social change organization based in Gipton, is dedicated to promoting social justice and sustainable futures. They achieve this through a dynamic community arts program that engages and benefits local residents.
Paul Barker, Space2’s co-director said:
“There is a huge amount of pride and passion in our communities for the green spaces across East Leeds, as well as concern about climate change and biodiversity loss. We’re really excited about the mix of history, environmental awareness and creativity which this project will realise.”
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture said:
“The Leeds Museums and Galleries collection is filled with countless beautiful and fascinating elements of the city’s history, collected and preserved over hundreds of years. It’s wonderful that we’re able to share this collection with the people and communities who have played their own part in the city’s story and bring past and present together to add a whole new chapter to the city’s story.”
Nestled in the heart of Leeds, the Leeds Discovery Centre is a unique repository that offers an insightful glimpse into the city’s rich heritage and natural history. Unlike a traditional museum, the Discovery Centre functions primarily as a state-of-the-art storage facility, housing over a million fascinating items from the Leeds Museums and Galleries’ collections that are not currently on public display.
The Leeds Discovery Centre is more than just a storage site; it is a vital institution that preserves the past and educates the present, ensuring that the cultural and historical wealth of Leeds is known and appreciated both now and in the future www.museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk
