Herbarium Conservation in Action

About this event

Calke's herbarium - a collection of pressed plants and flowers - will be formally documented for the first time this summer. Having been in storage for decades, the team will be examining each specimen's condition, with the hope of displaying it in the future. Containing all sorts from geraniums to brambles and with some specimens coming from as far away as Scotland and the Isles of Scilly (with others from right here on the Calke estate), it's a library of flora that will be able to tell us a lot about local biodiversity during the 1830s-1920s. A dedicated team of volunteers will also be photographing the collection in order to 'digitise' it, so that more people will be able to access the herbarium online. Pop into the Dining Room on the selected dates to watch the team at work and ask them about what they're up to. Don't forget to check out our programme of botanical-themed events inspired by the herbarium too.