'Moffat Voices' - Oral History Projects

Oral history is the stories that we share with one another about our past experiences. Histories of ordinary people and their lives are as important to the historical record as the testimonies of the rich and famous. The importance of collecting such information to preserve for future generations cannot be understated. It is a precious intangible heritage which may disappear forever if not recorded and conserved. The recordings we are making may be used by historians, broadcasters, school and university students.

Memories of people from Moffat and area have proved a treasure trove of local knowledge and insight into the lives of the the town. Our sincere thanks go to all our contributors.

We have 3 transcribers and 5 interviewers. Each 15 minutes of interviewing takes 4 hours of transcribing. When the material has been transcribed the interviewee gets a typed copy of their interview and also an audio version on a CD.Extracts of some recordings are listed below, do try them out they may bring back some memories of your own. Help for funding this project came from the Heritage Lottery Fun

Handling our Heritage

Handling our Heritage boxes are available to individuals, schools and other establishments who wish to borrow them for a entertainment or educational purpose. We have Victorian artefacts, World War II, Chemists, Railway and Geology. The boxes have a dozen objects which people are encouraged to handle and identify and think about the connections the objects have with the Museum collections. The boxes can be used in the museum or used in your own place. Also on view in the museum are Roman and Stone Age artefacts, for handling within the museum, not for loan.

The museum welcomes additions to the Handling our Heritage project and suggestions from clients.

Please contact Peter Dreghorn on 01683 221450 or 07810505323. Loans are free but a donation to the museum funds would be welcome.

Photography

The Museum has an extensive collection of photographs in several categories.

Stations and railways - Beattock and Moffat

Moffat events - The Gala, Sporting competitions including tennis and curling

Residents - Both famous and otherwise!

We also have photographed all the exhibits in the cases on the upper floor so that visitors unable to use the stairs can still enoy the displays. These files are also available to browse from the computer on the ground floor of the Museum. Please ask the staff for access to this facility.

Photography in this section is copyright of Peter Amsden: amsden@btinternet.com

Archives

Over the past few years, Museum volunteers have been collating a document and photographic archive of all the items and exhibits.

The documented Archive is continuously being indexed and updates and is available to view in the Archive Section of the website.

View the Archives