A Roman Brooch for Hemsworth – Be Part of History

Aim

Help us bring a rare Roman brooch from Hemsworth into Wakefield’s collection, support its display, interpretation and community engagement

About the Project

Wakefield Museums & Castles has the opportunity to acquire a rare Roman silver‑gilt brooch discovered in Hemsworth and reported through the Treasure process. The brooch is particularly significant because relatively little archaeological material from the Roman period has previously been recorded from the Hemsworth area.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, somebody in Roman Hemsworth lost an ornate silver-gilt brooch. We do not know their name, or whether they ever realised it had been lost. It may have fastened a cloak, marked status, displayed wealth or simply reflected the owner's taste and identity. What we do know is that the brooch remained hidden as Roman Britain ended, kingdoms rose and fell, castles were built and industries transformed the landscape. Today, it has re-emerged as one of the few surviving links to the people who once lived here. 

This remarkable object gives us a rare opportunity to connect with one of the people who lived, worked and travelled through the landscape we now call Hemsworth nearly 2,000 years ago.

We are raising funds to bring this important object into Wakefield's museum collection, ensuring it can be preserved, researched and shared with the public for generations to come.

Dating from around AD 75–175, this ornate brooch is a rare and high‑quality example of Roman craftsmanship. Museum specialists have described it as a "highly ornate and a find of note". Although Roman brooches of this type are known from across Britain, examples made from gilded silver are far less common than those made from copper alloy, making this a particularly unusual discovery.

Made from silver and covered with a thin layer of gold, this was a striking and valuable object designed to be seen. Its owner was wearing something far more elaborate than an everyday fastening. The brooch combines Roman design with decorative swirling motifs that recall Britain's earlier Celtic artistic traditions, creating an object that is both visually striking and archaeologically significant.

Roman brooches are found across Britain, but silver-gilt examples of this quality are far less common. The survival of both the precious metal and decorative detail makes this a particularly significant discovery. Objects like this were designed to attract attention. Nearly 2,000 years after it was lost, it still does.

The importance of this brooch has been recognised by the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, which has generously awarded £2,000 towards its purchase. We are continuing to raise funds through this crowdfunding campaign to complete the acquisition and maximise the public benefit of bringing this remarkable object into the collection, including research, interpretation, learning and community engagement activities.

This project is not about rescuing an object at risk of leaving the district. Instead, it is about giving local people the opportunity to be part of an important moment in Hemsworth’s heritage and to support the work that happens around an acquisition, as well as the acquisition itself.

Why This Brooch Matters

This brooch matters because:

• It is a rare Roman silver-gilt object, adding a material and level of craftsmanship not currently represented in our Roman collections.
• Specialists have noted that brooches of this type are normally made from copper alloy, making this gilded silver example particularly unusual.
• It was found in Hemsworth, an area we currently have limited archaeological material from, making this a particularly important addition
• It helps us tell a more complete and geographically balanced story of Roman activity across the Wakefield district, complementing material from Castleford

More widely, this brooch is a beautiful example of Roman craftsmanship and a powerful reminder of the district’s long history of skilled making - a story that continues to shape local identity today.

Combining precious materials, skilled craftsmanship and striking Celtic-inspired decoration, this is exactly the kind of object that helps us understand not just how people lived in Roman Britain, but how they chose to present themselves to the world.

Roman finds from Castleford have helped us understand part of the district's past for many years, but much less is known about Roman activity around Hemsworth. This brooch provides an important new piece of evidence, helping us build a richer picture of life in this area nearly two millennia ago.

The brooch spent almost 2,000 years beneath the fields of Hemsworth. We want future generations to be able to see it close to the place where its story began.

Wakefield Museums & Castles is an Accredited Museum service, meaning we meet national standards for caring for collections and ensuring they are preserved for long‑term public benefit. This brooch will be cared for and kept in trust for the public, ensuring it remains accessible for future generations.

Why We’re Fundraising

Public support remains vital. While the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund has awarded £2,000 towards the purchase of the brooch, community contributions will help complete the acquisition and ensure this important discovery delivers the greatest possible benefit through display, learning, research and engagement activities.

By inviting public support, we can:

• demonstrate community interest and local pride
• demonstrate community support and help unlock additional external funding
• invest more fully in research, learning, and interpretation
• raise awareness of Hemsworth’s Roman heritage

Every contribution helps us maximise the public value of bringing this object into the collection.

What Will Happen If We Exceed or Fall Short of the Target

• If we reach or exceed the target: additional funds will support interpretation, conservation, learning activity, and digital content linked to the brooch
• If we do not reach the target: the museum will still acquire the brooch, and all funds raised will be used to support the acquisition and associated public engagement work

All funds will be held and managed in line with local authority financial procedures.

Will the Brooch Be on Display?

Once acquired, the brooch will become part of the permanent collections of Wakefield Museums & Castles. Following documentation, conservation checks, and preparation for display, which can take several months, we intend to exhibit the brooch in Hemsworth Library, close to where it was discovered, giving local people an early opportunity to see and celebrate this important find.

After this initial display, the brooch will continue to be shared through exhibitions, learning activities, events, and digital interpretation over time.

How Your Support Helps

By supporting this campaign, you are helping us:

• represent Hemsworth more fully in Wakefield’s collections
• strengthen local connections to Roman heritage
• support responsible collecting and long‑term care
• demonstrate public engagement with local archaeology

Your support will help ensure this remarkable local discovery has a lasting legacy for the district and its communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the museum definitely acquiring the brooch?

Wakefield Museums & Castles is committed to acquiring the brooch for the public collection in line with its Acquisition & Disposal Policy. The acquisition has already received significant support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, and we are continuing to raise funds to complete the purchase and maximise its public benefit.

What happens to my donation if the crowdfunding target isn’t met?

All funds raised will be used to support the acquisition and associated public‑facing work, even if the full target is not reached.

Will the brooch belong to private donors?

No. The brooch will be part of the museum’s permanent collection, held in trust for the public.

Will my donation be used for other council services?
No. Donations will be ringfenced for Wakefield Museums & Castles and used only to support the acquisition and associated collections, interpretation, and engagement work.

Who manages the funds?

Funds are paid directly to Wakefield Museums & Castles and managed under local authority financial controls.

Supported By

The acquisition has been supported by a grant from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 28th September 2026 at 10:28am