At the Jesuit college in Lancashire, centuries-old objects inspire learning across the curriculum

A feature in The Tablet highlights how the remarkable historic collections at Stonyhurst College are being used as living teaching tools for pupils of all ages. "The Jesuits have always recognised that objects have the power to illuminate and inspire,” Jan Graffius, curator of the Stonyhurst Collections, tells The Tablet.

The Stonyhurst Collections, which began in 1609 when English Catholic families entrusted precious items to the Jesuits for safekeeping during the turbulent years of the Reformation, have grown into one of the most significant educational collections in the UK. Today they include around 100,000 books and tens of thousands of manuscripts and artefacts, ranging from a 4,000-year-old spearhead to a fossilised mammoth tooth.

Rather than being confined to display cases, these objects play an active role in school life. Under the guidance of curator Jan Graffius, pupils handle and study artefacts as part of their lessons. Through initiatives such as the Junior Curators Scheme, children are encouraged to learn how to interpret and communicate the stories behind historical objects, from ancient Greek pottery to Neolithic tools.

The collections also support learning across a wide range of subjects. Items from the Waterton natural history collection open discussions about conservation and global exploration, while a rare copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio connects pupils with the foundations of English literature. Students can also curate their own exhibitions as part of their studies, using original manuscripts, specimens and artworks to explore themes such as women’s history and theology.

The Tablet article shows how Stonyhurst’s collections embody a key principle of Jesuit education: learning through close observation, reflection and engagement with the world. By placing centuries-old objects directly into students’ hands, the college helps young people connect intellectually and imaginatively with the past.

The full article in The Tablet is available here to subscribers.

Photos courtesy of Stonyhurst College.