[C]umbria’s Museum of Military Life in Carlisle Castle will be kick-starting the first of three exhibitions this year at the Museum with Follow the Drum – Women’s stories from the Regiment.
Opening on International Women’s Day and preceding Mothers Day “Follow the Drum” shares the highs and lows of military life from a woman’s perspective. The exhibition highlights women’s stories, including Catherine Exley who followed her husband from the 34ft Regiment of Foot during the Peninsula War of 1811. Catherine’s journals were reproduced in newspapers and highlight the hardship and depravation she suffered including losing three children as they followed her husband’s march through Spain and Portugal.
Also featured is army wives experiences, how marriage has been regulated by the army and stories from a modern day reservist.
Jules Wooding, Learning and Access Officer at the Museum said: “Follow the Drum will give visitors to the Museum an opportunity to find out about army life from a woman’s perspective. A lot of stories are often hidden and we are using this exhibition to highlight the trials and tribulations and the contribution of women to military life.”
The exhibition is part of an exciting year of events hosted by Cumbrian Museums around the County celebrating the amazing contribution women have made to the life in our county and is supported by the Arts Council England and Cumbria Community Foundation.
The exhibition runs from 8 March to 13 May at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life in Carlisle Castle.
The two other temporary exhibitions at the Museum this year are:
Remembrance100 – The first Open Art exhibition to be held at the Museum (21 May-2 September)
Lest We Forget – An exhibition showcasing the Museum’s own collections (8 September – 25 November)
