In our own collections we have a wealth of local artefacts and art which helps tell the story of Independent Orangeism. Often these items have been held in private collections or in halls and homes where for their security and safety they have been protected and away from the public. While this has preserved them it has also prevented them from being brought together into collections which can tell the wider story and help new audiences appreciate and admire them.

For the first time we as an Institution have embarked on a process of collection and curation to help identify and then interpret the items which we own or have access to. It has  prevented the loss of items which were at risk of decay or destruction and has given our members a new found appreciation of their history and heritage. The result is a growing physical and digital collection which can be accessed and used to tell the story of not just Independent Orangeism but Orange and Protestant history in general.

It has also shed new light on British and Irish history as well as the role of local people and events on European and World history. Our Digital Artefacts which are drawn from  other Orange heritage museums, local community and national museums as well as some of the most famous galleries and museums  around the world. Many of these items are in the public domain, and using co-curation we have been able for the first time to bring together artefacts from around the globe into exciting exhibitions which tell the story of Protestantism, Orangeism and the Ulster Scots contribution to the world.