WHEN Minnie Pratt, from Barrow, died in 1980 at 100 years old, the only record of her art and her life was in a scrapbook.

Now her work will be in permanent reference as it features in a book which has been deposited and registered in the British Library. 

Gary Johnston started his journey in 2021 when he bought the scrapbook, entitled 'Newspaper Cuttings', in an auction market in Carlisle. 

The Mail: Minnie's watercolour of Giverny, in Normandy-dated 1919 with a photo underneath.Minnie's watercolour of Giverny, in Normandy-dated 1919 with a photo underneath. (Image: Gary Johnston)

What he found was art from a Barrow woman who travelled all over the world. Gary set up a Facebook group to find out more, and what he discovered is that her work and her life gave a rare female perspective of what life was like on the Furness peninsula in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 

Minnie visited and drew the Lake District, Uganda and France among others across the globe. She lived her later life in Ulverston.

The Mail: Minnie's art on display at an exhibition in the Dock Museum Minnie's art on display at an exhibition in the Dock Museum (Image: Gary Johnston)

Minnie's Scrapbook ended up being the centre of an exhibition at the Dock Museum.

Gary also wrote a book called Minnie's Scrapbook: A journey in the footsteps of Minnie Pratt.

READ MORE: Minnie Pratt's scrapbook reveals social history of Barrow 

Every book published must be registered at The British Library under an ancient law. Books registered and deposited at the library are held in perpetuity. Minne's drawings have gone from being unrecognised to the subject of an exhibition and being on permanent record. 

Gary said: "For me this marks a final milestone in my long journey. In years to come, if perchance anyone happens to stumble upon another Minnie's Scrapbook, or happens to unearth more 'missing Minnie' paintings, they will be able to research and learn more about artist, Art teacher and traveller, Minnie Pratt - via my book.

The Mail: One of Minnie's paintings in LangdaleOne of Minnie's paintings in Langdale (Image: Gary Johnston)

"Minnie's life and times, rather than being forgotten and overlooked by history, are now documented and preserved. They are available for future generations to explore and to investigate further."

Gary told The Mail before he published his book: "I had never done anything like this in terms of genealogy research or history research.

The Mail: Gary Johnston at the Minnie Pratt Exhibition in the Dock Museum Gary Johnston at the Minnie Pratt Exhibition in the Dock Museum (Image: Gary Johnston)

"The scrapbook has been my constant companion over the last year or so. I knew once I found out about the story that I wanted to show it to a wider audience."