A FASCINATING and unique collection of photographs capturing North Craven life from 1864 to 1960 is to go on show for the first time at The Folly museum in Settle.

Part of heritage open days, it will be the first time the Horner Collection has gone on show following a successful crowdfunding by the museum to buy the photographs in March last year.

Over two days in September, visitors will be able to look back in time by peering through the lenses of three historical cameras and browse all the newly digitised images from the collection.

Photographic technician, Damian Hughes, who has been working on the collection, will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice about keeping historical family photos in good condition.

Visitors will be able to submit notes about any of the people or places in the photographs that they recognise, and bring in any Horner images of their own for the team to examine.

Caitlin Greenwood, heritage development officer at The Folly, said: “We’re very excited to be sharing the collection with the community.

"We know lots of people have family photos from the Horner Studio, and we really hope they will be able to identify some of the people and places that are pictured in the collection. There really is no substitute for local knowledge."

The Horner Collection is a group of more than 1,500 photographs which were taken by the Horner family.

The family ran a photography studio in Settle for three generations. Their photographs capture the changing faces and places of Settle and the surrounding areas for nearly 100 years.

Many of the photographs are from the original glass plate negatives which require careful storage and conservation.

The Museum of North Craven Life at The Folly bought the collection after a successful £1,500 crowdfunding effort in 2021.

Ultimately, the museum plans to create a permanent exhibition of the photos in and create an online catalogue of all the images which will be accessible to everyone.

The Horner Collection open days will take place on Friday, September 16 and on Saturday, September 17, from 11. 30am to 3. 30pm.The open days are free, but visitors are asked to reserve a place via the museum’s website at: www.thefolly.org.uk. The museum will be open as usual.

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture; every year, thousands of volunteers and supporters organise events that allow people to discover hidden places and try out new experiences.