About Sherri

Curator of Social History, based at York Castle Museum

Background

BA in English and Greek Civilisation, MA in Folk Life Studies, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies (Leicester), then I gained my professional qualification - the AMA - while working in Leicester.

I worked in Leicester at the Newarke Houses Museum for about ten years, first as a Graduate Trainee and then later as Assistant Curator. Then I went to Chelmsford Museum to work with a very wide range of collections, and then to Walthamstow, in London, as Curator of Social History.

After a move to Yorkshire I worked for about a year at the Yorkshire Museum as a guide, and then joined the curatorial staff at York Castle Museum in 1993, first as Assistant Curator and then as Curator of Social History.

Interests

Social History, folk life, Friendly Societies, domestic life, the history of chocolate and sweet making, the history of Christmas, greetings cards, etc. etc! Quite interested in chocolate after work too...

Why I wanted to be a curator

When I was a volunteer at the Horniman Museum in London, I had the opportunity to unpack some items from an Egyptian dig that had not been looked at since they had arrived at the museum years before.

As I stood there holding the tiny beads in my hand I realised that the person who had touched the beads before me had been the archaeologist who had brought them out of the ground, and the person who had touched them before that had actually lived in Ancient Egypt - and that was so exciting!

It is that direct link to the past that only objects can give you that is so powerful and so exciting that I decided then and there to become a curator.

Favourite part of my job

I love the variety - each day is different and the job constantly changes and surprises me! I love exploring the history (and the people) behind the objects in the collection and then finding ways of communicating that to people today.

Favourite museum object

I have lots of favourite objects - some are very ordinary like the simple wooden ladle that is perfect for its purpose and has been mended so carefully by its owners. I'm also very fond of an early mangle board from Norway which has a horse's head as a handle because it so beautifully made for such a utilitarian use.

And, to go to the opposite extreme, I also like a 1950s vanity case that's really a radio, made in mock plastic snake skin, because its so bizarre and points forward to a new time and a new kind of world just opening up after the war.

Proudest moment

Coming to York Castle Museum and realising that I was actually going to work here!

Strangest request

Someone asked if they could have a stuffed bull from the collection so they could make it into a cocktail cabinet!

If you see me, ask me

What new projects are you working on at the moment?