Objects Database

Grenfell Jacket

Accession Number

657.2008.1

Object Name

Grenfell Jacket

Created

15/12/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

15/12/2008

Brief Description

'Grenfell' jacket. Zipped front, drawstring waist, two button pockets and two slanted zip pockets on the front. Zipped pocket on back of collar containing drawstring hood. Button ties on the cuffs.

Materials

Grenfell, plastic, string

Dimensions

Size 40 From neck 80(l) x 66(w)cms. Sleeve 53(l) cms.

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

Label on inside depicting climber with ice axe in the mountains reads "BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MANUFACTURERS OF GRENFELL CLOTH HAYTHORNTHWAITE & SONS Ltd. GRENFELL MADE IN ENGLAND"

Colour

green

Maker

HAYTHORNTHWAITE & SONS Ltd

Object Production Place

England

Provenance

Another one of the many items in the collection where we are unsure of the donator. We are, however, sure of the Grenfell cloth from which it is made.
Sir Wilfred Grenfell was a medical missionary who spent most of his life in the wastelands of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1882 through to the 1930's.
Walter Haythornthwaite was a wealthy Burnley millowner who, in 1922, invited Grenfell to give a talk about his work. During the talk Grenfell made some casual remarks about 'the right cloth for Labrador Mission workers', wanting it to be light and yet strong, weatherproof to turn wind, rain and snow, but above all it must allow the body moisture to escape.
Haythornthwaite went to work and in 1923 Grenfell cloth was born to an illustrious career. Tents and clothing made from the cloth went to Everest, racing drivers wore suits made from it and Wilfred Grenfell put it to good use in Labrador. " We use it constantly on the ships, on the planes, on the sledges and motoring. It does not wear out and we cannot afford to take chances - much less dare we recommend to anyone else anything that would fail them at a pinch."
Outdoor clothing has continued to be made from Grenfell cloth since 1923 - though no longer by Haythornthwaite's since 1991 and we are delighted to have this example in our collection.

Acquisition Date

15/12/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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