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Collections

Our dedicated team of curators research social history to create new exhibitions and organise popular travelling exhibitions throughout the year.

**Image:** See the record collection of Reuben Chappell paintings, including 'The Nancy of Goole' at Goole Museum.

Image: See the record collection of Reuben Chappell paintings, including 'The Nancy of Goole' at Goole Museum.

**Image:** Explore the Amy Johnson collection on show at Sewerby Hall and Gardens.

Image: Explore the Amy Johnson collection on show at Sewerby Hall and Gardens.

**Image:** A pommel from the end of a dagger or sword. See the iron-age swords discovered in South Cave at The Treasure House.

Image: A pommel from the end of a dagger or sword. See the iron-age swords discovered in South Cave at The Treasure House.

**Image:** View a record collection of paintings from local artists Fred and Mary Elwell at Beverley Guildhall.

Image: View a record collection of paintings from local artists Fred and Mary Elwell at Beverley Guildhall.

**Image:** Find a selection of farming tools over the ages at the rural East Riding museum at Skidby Mill.

Image: Find a selection of farming tools over the ages at the rural East Riding museum at Skidby Mill.

**Image:** View displays of items from when the former Hessle Whiting Mill was in operation.

Image: View displays of items from when the former Hessle Whiting Mill was in operation.

Our Collections

Each of our Museums has its own specialist collection, such as maritime treasures at Goole to significant artworks in Beverley. Visit each of the museums' pages to discover more. We also store and protect a number of items in our environmentally-controlled store room at the Treasure House, Beverley. You can view our entire collection online on East Riding Treasures.

Standards and accreditation

The East Riding Museums Service has Accreditation from the Arts Council for its standards of collection care, as outlined in our collections development policy. We also meet the standards of SPECTRUM, the UK Museum Collections Management Standard, maintained by the Collections Trust on behalf of UK museums.

Some of our collections contain sensitive information to individuals. Read the full Privacy Notice for East Riding Museums Service on eastriding.gov.uk

History and facts

All the objects in the East Riding museum collections can be searched on East Riding Treasures Online. You can search by keyword, type of object or by collection. These include the South Cave Weapons Cache, the Amy Johnson collection, the maritime paintings of Reuben Chappell and the paintings of Fred and Mary Elwell.

You can arrange to view specific objects from our collections as part of personal or professional research. To book a viewing appointment, first, find the item online at East Riding Treasures and make a note of its ERYMS ID number, the collection it is in and the museum it is held at. Please note: BAG is Beverley Art Gallery, and those without brackets are part of the Sewerby Hall collection. With these details, contact the curator of the museum and arrange your appointment.

Object identification

Found an item through metal detecting or by chance discovery? East Riding Museums offer an identification service for old and found objects of potential historical value. Simply take your item to the relevant museum (visit the museum pages for specialist collections) and fill out a form. You can also donate or loan objects to museums for display.

Metal Detectorists

Metal detecting, where carried out within the law, can contribute significantly to our knowledge of the past. East Riding Museums has been working closely with local metal detector users since 1995. Both individuals and groups have discovered a number of objects, including some important finds for our collections, all of which have been part of temporary displays. We work in partnership with the national Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).

If you do find 'treasure' through metal detecting, it is important to accurately record the finding spot. There is a legal requirement to report any objects that might constitute 'treasure' under the 1996 Treasure Act (and as amended in 2003). Visit the Portable Antiquities Scheme website (external website) for a definition of 'Treasure'. We strongly encourage liaison between archaeologists and metal detectorists for mutual benefit and the recording of all significant finds. Contact the museums service at the Treasure House, Beverley, for more information.

In the case of large collections (more than 10) of metal detecting objects, PAS should be the first point of contact for recording. East Riding Museums would still be interested in seeing your collection if you are offering it for donation, sale or as a loan for display.

Information and downloads

For professional and ethical reasons we are unable to offer valuations on any artefacts. Enquirers should instead contact a reputable antiquities dealer.

We aim to identify objects within four weeks or provide further research and points of contact that could help. In the case of archaeological material, objects can be taken to the Treasure House to be identified by the Museums Registrar. In most cases, the owner can expect to hear back within three weeks. At Goole Museum, many items can be identified on the same day.

Coins from the bronze age collection
A historic photo of the kiln excavation

Archaeology

East Riding Museums collects archaeological material from across the whole of the East Riding, working in collaboration with Hull Museums Service. Finds that are donated or loaned are used as part of temporary exhibitions. Finds can be taken to the identification service to find out dates and what it was used for. East Riding Museums also provide workshops, lectures and school resources on archaeology.

Collections and policies

East Riding Museums does not commission fieldwork. All enquiries for local archaeological work, site and monuments should be made to Humber Archaeology Partnership (HAP)

We hold a large and varied archaeological collection from professional and amateur excavations, covering East Riding sites from Prehistory up to the 19th century. The Museums Service also uses its Acquisition Fund to purchase significant archaeological treasures from the region.

The Museums Service collects to an agreed Collections Development Policy which has been formally adopted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and is reviewed every two years.

The deposition of material from excavations is governed by a set of guidelines designed to ensure only material of real value for future study or display is deposited. We welcome close liaison between archaeology units and the Museums Service at all stages prior to deposition of material.

Displays

Archaeological material forms an important part of the permanent 'Treasures of the East Riding' in the Treasure House Museum. The display is updated regularly to show different items in the collections. There is also in a purpose built environmentally controlled case for the internationally important South Cave Weapons Cache - a group of five Iron Age swords in their decorated scabbards, along with 33 spearheads. The cache was found by metal detectorists on agricultural land, and acquired with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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