Unearthed: The Power of Gardening is a free display at The Mitchell Library (2 MAY – 10 AUGUST 2025) exploring the transformative, enriching and sometimes radical power of gardening. Inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition (2 May – 10 August 2025), Mitchell Library is one of 30 library services celebrating gardening through the UK-wide Living Knowledge Network.
From windowsills to allotments, Unearthed: The Power of Gardening at The Mitchell Library explores how the act of gardening can heal and sustain people in a multitude of ways. It reveals how gardening can bring people together, empower communities and shape our relationship with the natural world. It also considers gardening as a form of activism, as a means of challenging land ownership and highlighting social disparities, as well as providing a global story about the movement of plants.
As well as a specially designed travelling exhibition created by the British Library, our display will reflect the collections in the Mitchell Library, with some surprising stories behind the books! From the first drawing of a pineapple to a beautifully embroidered book with at least 8 named owners, our exhibition will display underknown objects from the Mitchell’s collections.