What can a simple seed catalogue reveal about the history of our world?
In short: This video explores how historical plant nursery catalogues serve as unexpected archives. Created by youth ambassadors, it examines what these documents reveal about printing evolution and daily life during the Second World War, demonstrating how gardening records provide a unique lens into broader societal changes.
The Digital Dig project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, engaged six Digital Ambassadors aged 15 to 18 from the Museums Partnership Reading Youth Panel. These participants received specialized digital training to analyze RHS nursery catalogues from their local region, transforming archival data into accessible online content.
Beyond horticulture, these catalogues act as primary sources for historians. They document the progression of printing technology and offer insights into how communities navigated the challenges of the Second World War. By examining these trade publications, the project highlights how everyday commercial materials preserve the texture of past eras.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The history of horticulture revealed by nurseries' seed catalogues | Digital Dig | The RHS
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