Object of the Month: September 2023

Object: Tea towel

Hareandtabor, Cotton, 2020

Purchased from Hareandtabor, 2021

© Hareandtabor

 

The NHS was formed in 1948 during a period of radical post-war restructuring to ensure that health care would be available to all according to need and free at the point of use.

The recent coronavirus crisis emphasised this need more than ever as it became clear no one was immune from the potentially life-threatening illness.

This fundraising tea towel was purchased from ‘hareandtabor’, a group celebrating folklore, music, nature and traditions, with all profits going to the NHS Charities Together Covid 19 Appeal. It was purchased as part of the museum’s contemporary collecting project during the pandemic, which aimed to collect objects that would give future generations a glimpse into what life was like at the time. Other items collected include face masks and ‘keep your distance’ signage.

 

The Object of the Month can be seen in person throughout September at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.