A remarkable collection of photograph albums have gone on display at Belton Estate near Grantham. Crafting Memory: Marian's Photograph Albums offers a rare opportunity to see original albums and photographs created and compiled by Lady Marian Alford (1817-88) during the 1860s, and are being shown publicly in the house for the first time.
The exhibition includes a wide range of photographs from Marian's collections, ranging from luxurious studio portraiture and encounters with royals to playful scenes created with family and friends. They offer personal insights into a 19th-century home and the personal relationships, stories and artistic interests which shaped Marian and her family’s lives. Anna Sparham, Curator of Photography at the National Trust, said: ‘When encountering one of these incredible albums a few years ago I became fixated with their rich contents and yearned to know more about Marian’s network – which photographers were involved in making some of these images and what might the family relationship be to them? Who did Marian compile her albums for and how we can we share them today as they carry both photographic significance but also so many relatable qualities in their focus on friends, family and preserving memories.’
Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the experience and craft of album making. As well as original historic albums, photographs and other collection items, Crafting Memory uses film, animation and sound to bring to life their contents and contexts. Photographs and details from the albums are digitally projected onto the ceiling of the exhibition room, and visitors can learn about their photographers including Camille Silvy and Alice Kerr.
Anna continued: ‘We hold thousands of photograph albums across our places and I’m so keen for these to be far more explored and made accessible. Trying out ways to enable such engagement within our historic houses is exciting and I’ve long been wanting to show such potential through projection and sound. Hopefully people feel inspired by photography and the act of album making, and either sit down to reflect on their own images and maybe kickstart a desire to compile their own albums, or go home and start to think about those images which mean the most to them.’
There is space to reflect and respond to Marian’s collections, encouraging visitors to think about how they would select and display images from their phones in a physical format. At special crafting stations, inspiration can be taken from the unique shapes Marian uses in her albums to create personal miniature versions and contribute to a large-scale album installation.
The exhibition is kindly supported by CEWE as part of their partnership with the National Trust, supporting the Trust's work to catalogue and curate the photography collections in its care. Visitors to Crafting Memory can claim five free photo prints from a CEWE Photostation at the end of the exhibition, enabling them to follow in Marian’s footsteps and start creating albums at home.
Crafting Memory: Marian's Photograph Albums
Belton Estate is open every day except Christmas Day from 9.30am to 5.30pm until November when opening hours will change to 10am to 4pm. The house is open from 11am to 3.30pm and will be closing from Monday 2 to Friday 27 November for its festive makeover. The exhibition will remain open throughout the Christmas period. More information can be found at nationaltrust.org.uk/Belton.
