Background to the Project
BBC Kent and museums across the county have today (Monday 18 January) revealed the list of 10 objects they have chosen to tell a history of Kent and its place in the world. The list of 10 objects can be seen on the BBC Local site for Kent, www.bbc.co.uk/kent and all the objects are on display at the relevant museums.
The list of 10 objects for Kent is part of the wider A History of the World project formed out of a unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country.
Listeners and viewers will be asked to suggest further objects and can actively participate by uploading photographs of their own objects that have a local or global appeal. At the end of February 2010 it is hoped that each BBC Local website will have an additional 'People's 10 Objects' telling the history of their region and its global connections.
BBC Project manager for the Nations and English Regions, Seamus Boyd, said: "A truly fascination range of objects has been chosen for each list across English Regions. Some of them may have great monetary value, others little or none, but they're priceless in how they bring to life moments from history. This initial collection is just the blueprint in which we hope viewers and listeners will add their own objects and help to create a truly unique and vibrant tapestry of the past."
Museums around the country will be holding events in February half-term to celebrate A History of the World
Where the BTHC Fit In
Blue Town is home of 1 of the 10 objects, a Victorian anchor, chosen by the BBC.
Anchors have been used since pre-historic times. But did you know that Sheerness Dockyard played a part in helping find the best type?
Early anchors were simply heavy stones, tied to a piece of rope and thrown overboard. Later ones were cast in metal with sharp flukes to hold the seabed. But finding the best was important to help prevent shipwreck and the loss of countless lives.
In 1862 anchors from across the world were brought to Sheerness Dockyard on the Isle of Sheppey to test for the best design.
Further Information
The Full list of 10 objects can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/kent