Holst Victorian House launches new digital guide

The Holst Victorian House is dedicated to celebrating the composer Gustav Holst, who was born in Cheltenham in 1874, and providing visitors with an immersive experience of 1870s Victorian Cheltenham during the period when his family lived in the house.

The team at the Holst Victorian House is dedicated to celebrating the composer Gustav Holst, who was born there in 1874, and providing an immersive experience of 1870s Victorian Cheltenham during the time his family occupied the house.

They use the latest technology to bring the stories to life. Films are shown about his music and influences, the history of the house, and a day in the life of a maid working in the house. The original scores in their collection are displayed in a way that allows visitors to browse through them digitally while hearing the music played simultaneously.

The house is now very proud to have its own digital guide on the global Bloomberg Connects platform. It can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play, offering a chance to enjoy it before, during, or after a visit, or for those unable to visit in person.

One of the key objectives is to make the collection more accessible. The app includes built-in accessibility features such as voiceover, captions, audio transcripts, image zoom, and font size adjustment. It also offers translation into 43 languages (and counting).

The app content, put together by museum curator Laura Kinnear, includes:

• Information about Gustav Holst’s early life, family and career
• A look inside each of the period rooms in the museum
• The museum’s musical trustee, John Wright, talking about and playing Holst’s piano, the actual piano where Holst composed some of his greatest works
• A map of the layout of the Grade II listed building
• Film clips, a link to the Turning The Pages software and Holst’s scrapbook
• Volunteers talking about Victorian objects and the museum’s original paintings
• A short history of the Pittville residential area where the museum is located by Dr. Steven Blake
• Information about learning sessions and how to support the museum through volunteering, becoming a Friend or donating.

“We are very proud to have our own digital app on the global Bloomberg Connects platform. One of our key objectives is to make our collection more accessible and the app has built-in accessibility features including voice over, captions and audio transcripts, image zoom and font size adjustment. The app also offers translation into 43 other languages and counting.” Martin Renshaw, co-chair, Holst Victorian House

“The Bloomberg Connects app perfectly complements our existing visitor interpretation, enabling visitors to take a deeper dive into some of our special items, from Holst’s piano to our amazing collection of Victorian knife sharpeners! Brought to life by a host of knowledgeable volunteers, staff and historic experts, the new digital guide will be an enriching part of any visit – whether in person or from the comfort of home.” Laura Kinnear, curator, Holst Victorian House

The Bloomberg Connects app is available for download free of charge from the Google Play or the App Store.