Is Virtual Adoption something that you'd go for?

[JohnS]

Below is an article on virtually adopting artefacts from the 19th century that are stored in a museum. Read the article below and tell us if that's something that would appeal to you?

Brunel’s last cigar up for virtual adoption

By Seun Matiluko  - Thursday Jan 23, 2025

The SS Great Britain Trust have announced an array of artefacts are up for grabs as part of their ‘Adopt an Artefact’ campaign.

The education charity say the virtual adoption campaign will allow supporters to “own a piece of history” because, while the artefacts will remain at the museum, people who take part in the campaign will get a certificate of adoption as well as their name on the SS Great Britain website.

Supporters will be able to adopt an artefact for 12 months after paying anything from £25 to £300.

Those who pay £300 will also get two annual tickets to the Brunel’s SS Great Britain steamship and a private guided tour for two of the ship and its associated Dockyard and Being Brunel Museums.

A commemorative cricket ball awarded to Gloucestershire County Cricket star Edward Mills Grace is among the items up for grabs

Items that supporters can adopt include a commemorative cricket ball awarded to Gloucestershire County Cricket star Edward Mills Grace in 1864, a drawing of a horse Isambard Kingdom Brunel drew in 1812 and a portable cigar case that once belonged to Brunel which contains a cigar believed to have belonged to him.

The campaign will help the Trust raise funds to conserve the ship and museums and support their community outreach work.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s cigar case is made out of black leather

Louisa Pharoah, director of development at the SS Great Britain, said: “We’re so excited to launch ‘Adopt an Artefact’ and to give people the chance to become part of the SS Great Britain’s story.

“There are a whole host of fascinating objects up for adoption, including Brunel’s personal diary and a picture of a horse that he drew when he was just six years old.

“We’re proud to be a heritage and education charity that’s making a difference in the Bristol community.

“By adopting an artefact, locals and visitors alike can help to preserve items of historical significance and protect the legacy of the SS Great Britain itself.”

All photos: SS Great Britain Trust

Source: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/brunels-last-cigar-up-for-virtual-adoption/

[Chas.Alpha]

Absolutely. Many world treasures actually belong to someone that thoughtfully “loaned” them to a museum so that the rest of us meager scrubs can see them. I don’t have $300,000,000 to buy a thing, but I certainly have $50 so I can keep an object available for public viewing.

Count me in.

[99call]

The Portico Library in Manchester also uses these scheme. Thousands of members of the public have adopted books for conservation/restoration. A great way to keep the wheels rolling when institutions get their funding pulled for whatever reason. 

[JohnS]

Another article on this initiative...

Brunel’s last cigar could be yours in bizarre new SS Great Britain scheme

The SS Great Britain Trust is letting history lovers ‘adopt’ artefacts—including Brunel’s last cigar

£300 - Brunel’s cigar case with his last cigar and Brunel’s Propellor Report

Get ready to set sail on a voyage through history and become a guardian of maritime treasures like Brunel’s last cigar and his childhood doodles.

The SS Great Britain Trust has launched ‘Adopt an Artefact’ so supporters can ‘own’ a piece of history from its collection while preserving the iconic SS Great Britain.

Artefacts up for virtual adoption include Brunel’s last cigar, a commemorative cricket ball awarded to E.M Grace in 1864, and one of the last SS Great Britain tickets ever issued. The adoption packages, which last 12 months, start at £25 and go up to £300.

The objects available for adoption:

• £25 - Ship’s biscuit and the last ticket, 1970
• £50 - Cricket Ball and Thames Tunnel Peep Show
• £150 - Brunel’s horse drawing and Brunel’s locked diary
• £300 - Brunel’s cigar case with his last cigar and Brunel’s Propellor Report

SS Great Britain artefacts - Thames Tunnel Peep Show

While the artefacts remain in the Trust’s care, everyone who adopts an artefact will receive a photo, a certificate, and a fact sheet detailing its story. They will also be recognised on the SS Great Britain Trust’s website for their role in supporting the conservation and care of these historically significant items.

Supporters who opt for the top-tier adoption packages will also receive two annual tickets to visit Brunel’s SS Great Britain, a private guided tour for two of the ships and museums with an expert volunteer, and exclusivity of their object.

‘Adopt an Artefact’ will raise critical funds for the SS Great Britain Trust, which will be used to conserve the legendary ship and museum and support its community outreach work.

Louisa Pharoah, director of development at the SS Great Britain said: “We’re so excited to launch ‘Adopt an Artefact’ and to give people the chance to become part of the SS Great Britain’s story.

SS Great Britain artefacts

“There are a whole host of fascinating objects up for adoption, including Brunel’s personal diary and a picture of a horse that he drew when he was just six years old.

“We’re proud to be a heritage and education charity that’s making a difference in the Bristol community. By adopting an artefact, locals and visitors alike can help to preserve items of historical significance and protect the legacy of the SS Great Britain itself.”

To Adopt an Artefact visit https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/support-us/adopt-an-artefact/

Source: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/brunels-last-cigar-could-yours-9888805