A military pin-stuck cushion

Military Pin-Stuck Cushions (MPSCs), or sweetheart pincushions, were handmade keepsakes created by British soldiers between the Crimean War and WWI to express emotion through separation and loss.

As part of Abney Park's Tales of Departure series, folklorist Alessandra Curtis leads a lecture exploring the history, symbolism, and modern obscurity of these largely forgotten objects.

The talk also examines how organisations linked to Abney Park, such as the Salvation Army, supported soldiers during wartime and intersected with the creation of these personal trench art items.

For more information:‍ ‍Please visit https://abneypark.org/upcoming-events/2026/8/31/absent-yet-near-the-narrative-of-military-pin-stuck-cushions to buy tickets for this event.