We are very pleased to welcome the effervescent and very knowledgeable,  Dr Kathy Wheeler (Caradoc-Davies) to join us at The Mitre for the next six months.

As a museum curator and collections manager Kathy believes

The key to collections is to ensure they must be living entities which are conserved and used in a relevant, appropriate, and inclusive manner. Collections must be made widely accessible while, at the same time, conserving the original documents and items in a disciplined manner so that they are safeguarded for future generations.

One of the first museum curators to become involved in digitizing collections, Kathy has managed and compiled databases for a number of important collections in Cape Town. While at Bishops she will be compiling a database for the collection to form a firm foundation on which to formulate a master plan based on a mission.

Kathy certainly has her work cut out for her, but there is no one better qualified for the job.

She holds a BA degree in History (University of Cape Town), a post graduate diploma in Museology (University of Stellenbosch), a BA honours degree in Communication (University of South Africa), a MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, UK, in 2011 and a PhD (North-West University) in 2020. Her PhD thesis, Historic house museums and communication: a case study of the lrma Stern Museum, investigated the challenges faced by historic house museums both internationally and in South Africa, and considered the question of whether effective communication, an essential museum function, could address these problems.

Kathy has had many close connections with Bishops throughout her life. Her father Michael Caradoc-Davies, and brothers Geoff (1960/61W), Tudor (1963/64W) and the late Richard (1965W), her husband Philip Wheeler (1970/71G), and sons Michael (2005G) and Richard (2009G) are all ODs.

We welcome you and are excited about the work you are doing to enrich our archives and museum.