We might not all be art curators, but now we have the chance to explore what makes an object or artwork a treasure – no expertise required.
Wordsworth Grasmere, the former home of the poet William Wordsworth, is hosting a new exhibition that invites visitors to do just that.
The exhibition, What We Treasure: Art out of the Archive, offers a unique glimpse into the museum’s collection, and Hannah Catterall, Events Officer at Wordsworth Grasmere, spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria about what makes it so special.
Can you tell us about the idea behind the exhibition?
Hannah Catterall: This exhibition is a celebration of the art treasures at Wordsworth Grasmere. To give some context, we care for over 68,000 items including books, manuscripts, objects, and works of art from the Romantic era, which spans roughly the late 18th to mid-19th century. Most of these are rarely on display, so we wanted to bring some of our greatest treasures out of the archive to share with the public.
As we were planning, we kept coming back to the question: what really makes something a treasure? It’s a personal thing, really, and we wanted to explore that with a bit of fun. The exhibition includes iconic works like landscapes by Constable and Turner, portraits of Wordsworth and his circle, but also surprises, like 200-year-old doodles and humorous sketches you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see in a museum.
With so much in your collection, how did you decide what to include?
Hannah: It’s definitely a challenge! We work collaboratively here at Wordsworth Grasmere, so everyone gets involved, and yes, it’s both fun and a little agonising to pick favourites. What excited us most was subverting expectations of a traditional exhibition. Treasures aren’t just famous or rare, they can be objects that people love, that evoke emotional connections.
We divided the exhibition into three sections: Lake District landscapes, art of and by the Wordsworth Circle, and treasures connected to everyday life and local people. The result is a mix of periods and styles, which keeps it eclectic and relevant.
And personally, what do you think transforms an object into a treasure?
Hannah: That’s a tricky one! It’s often shaped by expert opinion or public reception, but for me, it’s about a deep emotional connection. For example, there’s a tiny sketch Dorothy Wordsworth sent to a friend – an awkward little house drawing, but it’s incredibly moving because it captures her vulnerability and humanity. That’s what makes it a treasure for me.
How important is audience participation in this exhibition?
Hannah: It’s probably the most important aspect. We wanted visitors to have a voice. We’ve set up activities where people can choose artworks that speak to them and explain why they think they’re treasures. Their responses may even become part of our digital collections. There’s also an artist table where visitors can create and display their own treasures through art or writing. It’s a fun, inclusive way to engage with the collection.
How long will the exhibition run?
It’s running now until 6 June 2026, so there’s plenty of time to experience it.
Listen to full interview here:
Exhibition open now
Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just curious, What we Treasure invites you to discover, reflect, and even participate in defining what makes something truly special.
Explore free with admission
What we Treasure: Art out of the Archive is a special exhibition at Wordsworth Grasmere available to view from 9th December 2025 until 6 June 2026 in the Temporary Exhibition gallery as part of the Wordworth Grasmere experience. Admission is from £8 for children and £16 for adults and available to book online.
