Digital tour goes live at a Lincolnshire cottage visitor attraction to overcome Covid-19 lockdown limits

To bring a bit of cultural relief to the thousands of people confined to home, unable to enjoy some of the region’s favourite visitor attractions and beauty spots, the team behind one historic building have come up with a way of presenting a ‘virtual tour’.
By Andy Hubbert
Published 1st Apr 2020, 08:38 BST
Updated 1st Apr 2020, 09:41 BST
The traditional range on which Mrs Smith cooked in her kitchen. EMN-200330-142552001The traditional range on which Mrs Smith cooked in her kitchen. EMN-200330-142552001
The traditional range on which Mrs Smith cooked in her kitchen. EMN-200330-142552001

Sally Bird, North Kesteven’s learning officer in charge of educating schools and adult groups about Mrs Smith’s Cottage Museum, in Navenby, has launched a digital exhibition at the weekend on a dedicated website called History Pin, which is increasingly being used by museums.

The cottage, which has been preserved as an example of a traditional Lincolnshire cottage with artefacts of rural life dating back over 100 years, has undergone a three-year restoration thanks to a Heritage Lottery grant after structural problems were discovered in the roof.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Due to re-open soon, Sally says this will give a taster for potential visitors, touring the cottage kitchen using a series of photographs of the interior linked to historical information already being prepared for kitchen tours during the Discover Lincolnshire Weekend which has had to be cancelled.

Mrs Smith's Cottage in Navenby, as scaffolding was removed in February. EMN-200330-142531001Mrs Smith's Cottage in Navenby, as scaffolding was removed in February. EMN-200330-142531001
Mrs Smith's Cottage in Navenby, as scaffolding was removed in February. EMN-200330-142531001

She said: “We had the resources ready and it was easy to flip it online.”

She said: “We are sharing photos of the cottage’s past and present alongside stories, diary quotes, and memories of Mrs Smith taken from our oral history collection.”

Sally’s task is to create a learning experience for all ages at the cottage and online. It will be shared on Twitter (@mrssmithscottage), Instagram and its own website.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “All of the NKDC sites are working to produce a range of digital events and resources to boost morale, support children learning from home, and hopefully inspire a little creativity.

Mrs Smith's tap, washing bowl and 'stairs' to her bedroom. EMN-200330-142542001Mrs Smith's tap, washing bowl and 'stairs' to her bedroom. EMN-200330-142542001
Mrs Smith's tap, washing bowl and 'stairs' to her bedroom. EMN-200330-142542001

“The others were not as easy to put online as quickly as some were craft activities.”

You can view the digital tour of Mrs Smith’s Cottage here.

People were invited to create floral bracelets and she invited people to Tweet pictures of their ‘kitsch’ kitchen items.

Related topics:LincolnshireTwitterPeopleNorth Kesteven