The Secret Garden History Project, a project based at St Fagans National Museum of History, recently celebrated 18 months of hard work and dedication in a series of fun events and exhibitions at the museum.
This project, led by a dedicated group of volunteers with disabilities and additional needs, researched the rich history of Ysgubor Fawr and the Secret Garden at St Fagans.
The Roper’s of Ysgubor Fawr
Working alongside Glamorgan Archives, our volunteers meticulously combed through census records and historical documents. Our volunteers found evidence of the Roper family who lived at Ysgubor Fawr. The family lived at the Secret Garden cottage from the 1880’s to 1950’s
The Secret Garden history project found original Roper family items, including clothing and toys, which were showcased during our summer events.
A journey through time: maps and family trees
The project did not stop there. Volunteers carried on working with Glamorgan Archives and St Fagans Museum to research old maps, piecing together Ysgubor Fawr’s transformation over the years.
They even brought the Roper family to life by recreating photographs and crafting a captivating short film that you can watch below.
Bringing the Secret Garden history to life
The project delved into the daily lives of those who lived in and around St Fagans. Volunteers collaborated with museum curators to research traditional recipes and medicines, even experimenting with picking and drying herbs from the museum’s gardens.
The Secret Garden History Project was not just about facts and figures. It was a platform for artistic expression. The group created various artworks depicting the Ropers and their lives at Ysgubor Fawr, adding a unique perspective to the historical narrative.
Life as a Roper
Our volunteers got creative again, and wrote a poem about Life as a Roper and farmer living around St Fagans in the early 1900’s.
Farming at the cottage,
we had a coal fire.
It’s how we lived, I’m no liar.
No electric, no phones,
it was cold in your bones.
How did we cope at night?
We’d sign, we’d write,
play games like draughts,
who’s to say we had no laughs.
We loved our garden,
we’d grow vegetables and flowers,
working hard outside, for hours and hours.
We’d milk the cows,
and see to our sheep,
the hope to have a good night sleep.
In the morning the cockerel would sound,
back to work we’d go,
to earn our pound.
A summer of showcasing
The project finished with 3 successful events held throughout July and August. The events were held in the Atrium (Main Entrance) of St Fagans Museum and gave the group the opportunity to reveal their exploration of the history of Ysgubor Fawr and the Secret Garden.
Beyond the project: skills gained and confidence built
Over 18 months, 15 dedicated volunteers contributed over 1000 hours of their time. The project proved to be much more than historical exploration.
During this period our volunteers have learnt a variety of new skills as well as building on their existing skills in order to deliver the project.
Creative skills have been explored having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of those taking part. This project has undoubtedly enhanced the confidence, communication and social skills of its volunteers, from working as a team, developing ideas for events, and dealing directly with the general public.
Volunteers have developed their historical interests, they now have an improved knowledge and understanding of the history of the Secret Garden. They are keen to continue their development and take their historical research further.
We at Innovate Trust are incredibly proud of the Secret Garden History Project and its dedicated volunteers. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this remarkable group.
The Secret Garden History Project would like to express its sincere gratitude to its partners and funders for their unwavering support.
