The Independent Website That Asks The Awkward Questions
Our Polar Heritage
In Need Of Your Support!
Have you wondered whether your donation in support of our Antarctic Heritage could be better spent?
Beyond the damage caused to the huts, the Antarctic Heritage Trust huts appeal has further serious consequences by diverting badly needed funds from sound and achievable polar heritage projects.
You may find it surprising to know that the Antarctic huts are in no sense the legacy of our great Antarctic explorers and they are most certainly not their memorials; whilst historically interesting, they are simply their old huts. The legacies and memorials of our iconic Heroic Age explorers are, in fact, found in the historic and scientific institutions which carry on their work.
Captain Scott would not have given tuppence for his hut. He would have given it to support the polar studies work of the Scott Polar Research Institute, which carries out cutting edge polar science and contains an internationally important polar archive. It is his official British National Memorial and carries on so much of what he was about. He would have given it for educational projects on his old ship Discovery at Dundee; he would have given it for school and community work through the Museum in his home town of Plymouth; but not to support the Antarctic tourist and heritage architecture industries through turning his hut into an ‘invoking’ charade.
Shackleton's legacy is more truly to be found in the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia, the scene of his greatest achievement and where he lies buried. Historic monuments, such as his grave stone, are maintained (properly) by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Likewise, as a book lover, he would have supported the internationally important Shackleton Memorial Library, which is found at the Scott Polar Research Institute and no doubt supported the Shackleton Memorial Scholarships, which support education projects in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Would Shackleton have sacrificed these interests in rebuilding his old hut for the temporary benefit of heritage professionals and tourists?
The Antarctic Heritage Trust appeals to the supposed fact that future generations will not ‘forgive us’ if we let the huts go - whilst destroying them in the very act of their intervention. How much more unconscionable to ‘save’ (and lose) the very essence of the huts historic heritage at the expense of our polar heritage elsewhere.
If you want to support our Antarctic Heritage your money would be better spent here, in support of achievable polar heritage objectives.
Beyond the damage caused to the huts, the Antarctic Heritage Trust huts appeal has further serious consequences by diverting badly needed funds from sound and achievable polar heritage projects.
You may find it surprising to know that the Antarctic huts are in no sense the legacy of our great Antarctic explorers and they are most certainly not their memorials; whilst historically interesting, they are simply their old huts. The legacies and memorials of our iconic Heroic Age explorers are, in fact, found in the historic and scientific institutions which carry on their work.
Captain Scott would not have given tuppence for his hut. He would have given it to support the polar studies work of the Scott Polar Research Institute, which carries out cutting edge polar science and contains an internationally important polar archive. It is his official British National Memorial and carries on so much of what he was about. He would have given it for educational projects on his old ship Discovery at Dundee; he would have given it for school and community work through the Museum in his home town of Plymouth; but not to support the Antarctic tourist and heritage architecture industries through turning his hut into an ‘invoking’ charade.
Shackleton's legacy is more truly to be found in the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia, the scene of his greatest achievement and where he lies buried. Historic monuments, such as his grave stone, are maintained (properly) by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Likewise, as a book lover, he would have supported the internationally important Shackleton Memorial Library, which is found at the Scott Polar Research Institute and no doubt supported the Shackleton Memorial Scholarships, which support education projects in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Would Shackleton have sacrificed these interests in rebuilding his old hut for the temporary benefit of heritage professionals and tourists?
The Antarctic Heritage Trust appeals to the supposed fact that future generations will not ‘forgive us’ if we let the huts go - whilst destroying them in the very act of their intervention. How much more unconscionable to ‘save’ (and lose) the very essence of the huts historic heritage at the expense of our polar heritage elsewhere.
If you want to support our Antarctic Heritage your money would be better spent here, in support of achievable polar heritage objectives.