A new digital archive has been launched for West Cumbria’s former Sekers factory.
Following the exhibition Sekers Objects from Handpicked Productions, which was first shown in 2003, the online archive is a place to explore the people, objects and designs behind the firm.
Sekers Objects was a community-focused heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
During this period, they worked with local residents, former Sekers employees and volunteers to collect and preserve the stories, memories and material culture of Whitehaven’s Sekers Fabrics, a company that played a central role in the area’s social and industrial history.
In February this year, the work culminated in a landmark exhibition at Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven, which brought together, for the first time, a collection of objects, garments and artworks linked to the history of Sekers.
Among them were original items from the factory and handmade items created from fabric – such as wedding dresses, a Vicar’s cope, and a unique handmade dress cut from a Balmain pattern, made using Sekers fabric.
The exhibition also featured an Oliver Messel chandelier, originally hung in Rosehill House – home of Sir Miki Sekers, founder of Sekers Fabrics and the theatre – and a rare Percy Kelly painting of the factory, loaned from a private collection.
The online archive can now be used for future projects and there is also a full walk thorough of the exhibition.
Handpicked said: “We couldn’t have done this without the local community, Rosehill staff and volunteers and the support from the staff and directors at Sekers Fabric in Dundee.
“This website ensures that the story of Sekers continues to be shared and celebrated by future generations while also being a foundation that can be added to in
the future.”
The archive is available at www.sekersarchive.co.uk
