Since its creation as a hunting lodge nearly 400 years ago, the walls of Kiplin Hall have heard music of all kinds. From the trumpet of the hunting horn to scales and arpeggios on the piano, visitors are invited to follow the beat back through the centuries in a new music themed exhibition.
Alongside the exhibition a trail has been created in the historic rooms of the hall. Museum staff and volunteers were invited to share what music comes to mind when they think of a certain object, person, or place from Kiplin’s past. These notions have been collected and displayed in the hall with a digital link to the music playlist.
Visitors can listen to the track on their own smart device in the museum, or later at home, using the well-known app Spotify.
Today we hear from Marketing Manager, Samantha Jennings. She is fond of the lanterns in the Annie Marchant Kitchen and Dairy collection. Many of the objects in Kiplins collection relate to the wealthy owner families. But items from the Annie Marchant Collection are more domestic, of the sort used by the staff working at Kiplin Hall.
Samantha links these lanterns to a track called ‘Leave a Light On for You’ by Edwina Hayes. “I imagine the lanterns flickering with light, rhythmic like this tune. I can imagine the light casting shadows on the walls, someone sitting, waiting like in the song, contemplating lost loves. Still with a light on.”
Today we take electric lighting for granted. It appears at the flick of a switch. Kiplin Hall is nearly 400 years old. Candles and lanterns would have been in everyday use at Kiplin for centuries. Lanterns helped to keep flames alight, protecting them from drafts blowing them out. As well as containing the flames, helping to avoid house fires.
Join us next week as we explore the next stop on the trail. From the Edwina’s folky rhythms to fisherman’s friends! Visitors who wish to enjoy the Spotify trail in the museum are asked to bring their own headphones. You can also hear Edwina playing live during Kiplin’s Afternoon Tunes event this Sunday, 19th May. Kiplin Hall and Gardens is open 6 days a week, closed on Thursdays.
