Blencathra Sanatorium

As Threlkeld residents you are getting advanced notice of a project that will appear in the press next month.In partnership with Keswick Museum & Art Gallery we are working on an Oral History Project about the Blencathra Sanatorium.

Many of you will know that Far End Row Farm was purchased in 1902 and the Sanatorium was constructed and opened in 1904, initially catering for 20 patients. In the 1880`s the Sanatoria movement had started in the USA as it was known that prolonged rest and withdrawal from the cares of the world in a good environment appeared to improve the patient`s condition. By the turn of the century this knowledge had lead to the appearance of large buildings on mountainsides specifically for the treatment of tuberculosis. Patients spent many years in these places following stringent regimes of rest, diet, exercise and fresh air.

So what is the project you might ask? Oral History is the opportunity to record information from those who have the longevity to have experienced these early medical experiences. In conjunction with museum staff we would like to interview some key people who were connected with the sanatorium. This could be patients, medical staff, ancillary workers such as cooks, gardeners etc, suppliers, visitors...we are looking for people who have a good story to tell that can be recorded for posterity. In particular in the first stage we are keen to focus on the pre 1953 period when it was still used for the treatment of tuberculosis. If you are reading this and would like to share your experience excellent - alternatively if you know of relatives or friends who would be willing to take part please call Caroline Hall at the museum on 017687 73263.

There will be an exhibition regarding the Sanatorium at the museum in November and we are planning a permanent display with an audio booth at the Centre in 2010. If anyone has any interesting photographs or materials that could be used in the exhibition please contact Caroline or myself.

Tim Foster

Head of Centre

Tel: 017687 79601 email tim.foster.bl@field-studies-council.org