The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
657.2008.1
Grenfell Jacket
15/12/2008
Hermione Cooper
15/12/2008
'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.
Grenfell, plastic, string
Size 40 From neck 80(l) x 66(w)cms. Sleeve 53(l) cms.
1
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"
green
HAYTHORNTHWAITE & SONS Ltd
England
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.
15/12/2008
28/04/2009
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
28/04/2009