Luddites, stockings and its own beer make a heady mix, writes Louise Gray
Where The Framework Knitters Museum (FKM) is in Ruddington, a village on the outskirts of Nottingham. Located around the last surviving complete knitters’ yard in the UK, the museum occupies five Grade II-listed buildings from the early-19th century, a row of workers’ cottages and an adjacent Primitive Methodist chapel, where the knitters used to worship.
What A cross between an industrial and a social history museum, FKM tells the story of framework knitting and its role in the mechanisation of the textile industry. The museum has the “only exhibition dedicated to the Luddite riots in the early 19th century”, says its manager, Paul Baker, who is the first museum professional the venue has ever employed.
In May, the museum picked up a Heritage in Motion award from the European Museum Academy for Breaking the Frame, its interactive film about Luddite activity in the locality.
Opened The site was saved from demolition in 1971, but there were plans to level it to create a carpark.
“At the last minute, literally on the day before the sale of the site, there was a large, anonymous donation to our funds,” Baker says. “We never found out who it came from, but it meant that we could buy the site and start planning a museum.” The venue opened in 1984.
Collection The authentic frameshop in the museum has 24 knitting and stocking frames, some from the 18th century, as well as a number of 19th- and 20th-century circular knitting machines. Working demonstrations are part of the visitor experience. “We have a lot of educational visits and children leave with knitted scarves they have made by operating a hand-knitting machine,” says Baker.
The museum also has textile displays and artefacts relating to the knitting industry. “The cottages’ interiors show the living and working conditions of the workers, and interpretive devices, such as smells and ambient sounds, are used to suggest the buildings are occupied,” Baker says. The museum also has a collection of historic hosiery.
Highlights “Among our vast collection of stockings are those that belonged to Queen Victoria, which are exquisitely decorated for undergarments,” Baker says. He also points out a rare decorated Saxony knitting frame, only two of which are known to exist.
Help at hand There are three part-time employees (a manager and two demonstrators) and about 60 volunteers.
Budget As an independent museum, it receives no council grants. Income is generated in a number of ways, including an agreement with a local brewery that produces a sponsored beer to raise funds. “We also generate funds from special events, space rental and a shop called the Textile Emporium, which provides a platform for small-scale makers,” says Baker.
The museum was recently relaunched following a redevelopment that included a £100,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. (Admission is £4 for adults and £2 for children.)
Sticky moment “On the day of the launch of Breaking the Frame, the film-maker was delayed with the finished version,” Baker says.
“As the delegates arrived, the museum management team was forced to give an impromptu introductory speech and tour of the museum until the film arrived an hour later. Luckily, no one noticed a thing.”
Survival tip “Walk with a swagger and think big,” Baker says. He also counsels museums to be inventive with their space. “Our old chapel is used by the community. Tonight, we’ve got bellydancers in.”
Visitor numbers 9,000 in 2013-14.
Future plans The museum recently secured ownership of a neighbouring building to house its visitor services section and create spaces for new exhibitions.
Visit www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk
To view Breaking the Frame, go to tinyurl.com/qhwevzk
Where The Framework Knitters Museum (FKM) is in Ruddington, a village on the outskirts of Nottingham. Located around the last surviving complete knitters’ yard in the UK, the museum occupies five Grade II-listed buildings from the early-19th century, a row of workers’ cottages and an adjacent Primitive Methodist chapel, where the knitters used to worship.
What A cross between an industrial and a social history museum, FKM tells the story of framework knitting and its role in the mechanisation of the textile industry. The museum has the “only exhibition dedicated to the Luddite riots in the early 19th century”, says its manager, Paul Baker, who is the first museum professional the venue has ever employed.
In May, the museum picked up a Heritage in Motion award from the European Museum Academy for Breaking the Frame, its interactive film about Luddite activity in the locality.
Opened The site was saved from demolition in 1971, but there were plans to level it to create a carpark.
“At the last minute, literally on the day before the sale of the site, there was a large, anonymous donation to our funds,” Baker says. “We never found out who it came from, but it meant that we could buy the site and start planning a museum.” The venue opened in 1984.
Collection The authentic frameshop in the museum has 24 knitting and stocking frames, some from the 18th century, as well as a number of 19th- and 20th-century circular knitting machines. Working demonstrations are part of the visitor experience. “We have a lot of educational visits and children leave with knitted scarves they have made by operating a hand-knitting machine,” says Baker.
The museum also has textile displays and artefacts relating to the knitting industry. “The cottages’ interiors show the living and working conditions of the workers, and interpretive devices, such as smells and ambient sounds, are used to suggest the buildings are occupied,” Baker says. The museum also has a collection of historic hosiery.
Highlights “Among our vast collection of stockings are those that belonged to Queen Victoria, which are exquisitely decorated for undergarments,” Baker says. He also points out a rare decorated Saxony knitting frame, only two of which are known to exist.
Help at hand There are three part-time employees (a manager and two demonstrators) and about 60 volunteers.
Budget As an independent museum, it receives no council grants. Income is generated in a number of ways, including an agreement with a local brewery that produces a sponsored beer to raise funds. “We also generate funds from special events, space rental and a shop called the Textile Emporium, which provides a platform for small-scale makers,” says Baker.
The museum was recently relaunched following a redevelopment that included a £100,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. (Admission is £4 for adults and £2 for children.)
Sticky moment “On the day of the launch of Breaking the Frame, the film-maker was delayed with the finished version,” Baker says.
“As the delegates arrived, the museum management team was forced to give an impromptu introductory speech and tour of the museum until the film arrived an hour later. Luckily, no one noticed a thing.”
Survival tip “Walk with a swagger and think big,” Baker says. He also counsels museums to be inventive with their space. “Our old chapel is used by the community. Tonight, we’ve got bellydancers in.”
Visitor numbers 9,000 in 2013-14.
Future plans The museum recently secured ownership of a neighbouring building to house its visitor services section and create spaces for new exhibitions.
Visit www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk
To view Breaking the Frame, go to tinyurl.com/qhwevzk