The Mapping Museum research project was created to look at the increase in the number of museums in the UK. As part of this project, Patrick Beresford was interviewed about the HorsePower Museum.

Explore more about the Mapping Museum project here and read Beresford's interview below:

Interview summary

Name of person being interviewed: Patrick Beresford

Location of interview: HorsePower Museum

Date of Recording: 05 December 2018

Recording Length: 01:06:06

Name of interviewer: Dr Toby Butler

Description: HorsePower is the Museum of the King’s Royal Hussars, a cavalry regiment of the British Army. It is located at the Peninsular Barracks in Winchester; it covers the history of the regiment from 1715 to present day.

Summary of main points in interview: Patrick Beresford is a retired Major and was regimental secretary and honorary curator of HorsePower from 1996 to 2007; he has also been involved in Winchester’s Military Museums group. Beresford describes the regiment’s history of amalgamation (in 1969) and how the museum drew together regimental collections and things owned by former members of the regiment.

He outlines how problematic the borderline can be between what is owned by the museum and what by the regiment. With a role in both organisations this can be difficult, and he gives several examples. He describes the various museums now on the site.

Beresford arrived when the museum had moved; with the help of his wife who is a museum professional, they gained full accreditation. He explains the formation and operation of the Winchester Military Museums group, and discusses the good relationship the museum has with the town and the university. He discusses how re-opening the museum after a major refurbishment has been a highlight of his involvement.