13/09/2026
Since I began my museum career in 2005, I have always wanted to focus on the preservation of social and working-class history. At university, I was never interested in celebrating the successes of kings and queens, but instead gravitated towards the stories of working families - from Irish migration to the struggles of Red Clydeside.
Working-class history has always struggled for recognition because it is, by its very nature, everyday history. It exists in worn tools, handwritten letters, union banners, pit helmets, factory whistles and family photographs. To many these objects may appear unremarkable, but individually and collectively they tell the story of the people who built our industries, shaped our politics and transformed society. Each object has a shadow of a story, which can easily be missed.
Too often, philanthropic decisions reinforce this imbalance. Resources are disproportionately directed towards conserving grand houses, fine art and prestigious collections, while the places and objects that document labour, industry and community resilience are at risk.
We risk creating a heritage sector that remembers privilege in extraordinary detail while allowing the experiences of millions of ordinary people to fade from memory.
If museums are to remain relevant, we must broaden our understanding of significance. Heritage is not simply about preserving the exceptional; it is about preserving the representative. The story of a miner, a shipbuilder, a textile worker or a domestic servant is no less worthy of conservation than that of a monarch or aristocrat. Indeed, it is often these stories that resonate most deeply because they reflect the lives of the majority of us.
I remember seeing this for the first time in 2006 during my time at the Glasgow Museum of Transport where I saw interviews being the forefront of storytelling. This made me realise that the greatest responsibility of museums is not merely to protect objects, but to ensure that communities are at the forefront of their existence.
The heritage sector recognises this. But the sector isn't profit-driven and focuses its resources in providing learning and preserving heritage. It struggles for cash.
Now is the time for major firms to invest in preserving the legacy of the working people whose dedication created the foundations for their success.
Robin Patel, Magpie Heritage
