This summer, a new aspect of Calke Abbey's extensive collection takes centre stage. The herbarium, composed of dried and pressed plants and flowers, has largely been kept in storage for decades. As part of a new project to connect nature and history, conservation work will begin in July. Visitors will be able to see conservation in action and learn about the 'digital herbarium' being created by the ranger team alongside the historic collection.
Historic Collection
The specimens in Calke's herbarium date from the 1830s to the 1920s. Some were collected and mounted by members of the Harpur Crewe family themselves, particularly Sir Vauncey, while others were acquired through wider botanical networks. Notable botanist Rev Andrew Bloxham, tutor to the family in the 1830s, is also represented in the collection, with several bound folios believed to date from his time at Calke. The folios reference a wide range of locations, from nearby Calke, Foremark and Dovedale to further afield, including Jersey, Scotland and the Isles of Scilly. Many specimens are labelled with other botanists' names or marked 'ex herbaria', which suggests they were exchanged, gifted or acquired through collectors and dealers, reflecting the active networks of 19th century botany. From geraniums to brambles, all manner of plant species can be found within the herbarium.
Conservation and Digitisation
The project aims to create a formal, detailed record of its contents and digitise each specimen, making the collection more accessible for research and public engagement. Julie Griffith, Property Experiences Curator at Calke Abbey, said: “We're really excited to be revealing more of the herbarium to visitors. Calke is known for its extensive natural history collection, but this is an aspect many visitors won't have encountered before. This conservation work will help us catalogue the collection, improve how it is stored, and open up future opportunities for display.”
Digital Herbarium in the Meadows
Contrasting with the dried and pressed specimens, Calke's rangers, along with a team of volunteers, will be creating a 'digital herbarium' in the meadows surrounding the house. Rather than disturbing the ecosystem by picking live flowers, they'll be using images to record their findings. By carefully photographing and documenting each specimen they encounter in the meadow, including its exact location and identifying features, the team will build a detailed contemporary record to compare with the historic collection. Alice Hedges, Ranger at Calke Abbey, said: “By recording what's growing in the meadows today without picking the plants, we can build a picture of how the landscape is changing while protecting it at the same time. As biodiversity changes in response to climate pressures, this work will help identify which species have endured at Calke and which have appeared or disappeared since the 19th century.” Julie Griffith added: “The digital herbarium will allow us to compare biodiversity at Calke from the 1830s to today, helping us better understand environmental change and the future of the estate's plantlife.”
Creative Events and Workshops
A programme of themed events will invite visitors to engage with the herbarium and the natural world in creative ways. Photographic artist Dean Leivers will be running free drop-in Cyanotype printing sessions on Saturday, June 20 and Thursday, July 16. Local illustrator Kate Dawes will host botanical watercolour workshops on Saturday, June 27 and Thursday, July 2. Wild Minds, a local CIC, will be offering a 'Create your own herbarium sheet' workshop on Wednesday, July 22, with exclusive after-hours access to the house. They'll also be running a Plant Prints and Hapa Zome session on Thursday, August 6.
