Bee Keeper's Hat and Veil

At Ryedale Folk Museum, we take our bees seriously, with a variety of bee-related items in our collection! With their ceaseless buzzing, bees play an indispensable role in our ecosystem. Our region also has a rich history of bee conservation. We've even embarked on a conservation project managed by the North York Moors National Park Authority, which safeguards ancient drystone walls near Glaisdale, harbouring the largest number of 'bee boles' ever recorded in England and Scotland. It’s likely that these date back to the 18th century.

Once upon a time, many moorland folk would have kept their own bees for honey, especially during a time without easy access to alternative sweeteners. Honey was also used in drinks, like mead, and the beeswax was used in candle production.

We like to think that our beekeeper's hat and veil are more than just protective workwear. Bee-lieve us, they help us understand the industrious worlds of mighty pollinators and hardworking beekeepers, past and present. You might say they’re the bee's knees!