Crafting Memories: Preserving Gordon Russell’s Legacy Through Oral Histories
In the spring and summer of 2024, the Gordon Russell Design Museum and the Broadway Museum & Art Gallery partnered to capture the voices of former employees of Gordon Russell Limited. Supported by a grant from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) and the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF), this project preserves an important chapter of British design history.
The funding enabled us to hire an experienced oral historian who conducted nine in-depth interviews. These recordings will be archived, preserving personal stories that range from childhood memories to the unique sights, sounds, and smells of a now-vanished workplace.
Additionally, the grant supported the training of local volunteers in oral history techniques and provided essential recording equipment, allowing us to continue building the village archive. We are deeply grateful to AIM, the NHLF, and National Lottery players for making this project possible. Special thanks to oral historian Julia Letts, whose expertise helped us record and preserve these testimonies, and to our dedicated volunteers.
Martin Blakeman - Cabinetmaker
Visitors to both museums are able to listen to these stories through tthe new Museum-in-a-Box technology, funded by the grant. Simply select a story and hear these personal histories come to life.
We invite you to visit and experience the lives behind the craftsmanship
So far, we’ve interviewed nine former Gordon Russell Limited staff members, including Martin Blakeman (pictured right), who began his career at the factory at just fifteen. Following in his father Jack’s footsteps, Martin completed a four-year apprenticeship, working on notable projects like a table for the Royal Society of Arts. He vividly recalls the round building and the scent of kilned wood, along with the camaraderie among the workers. You can listen to Martin here:
Plan your visit to listen to the stories
Try it for yourself
One Museum-in-a-Box will be installed in the Gordon Russell Design Museum, another in the Broadway Museum, and the third will travel to educational events.
Martin Hall joined Gordon Russell Ltd in 1964 as a Design Draughtsman after completing his design studies…
Plan your visit to listen to the stories