With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Peeblesshire militia 200-year-old uniform purchase bid

A campaign has been launched in the Borders to save a 200-year-old uniform from ending up in a private collection.

Museum supporters have set themselves a £4,850 goal to buy the uniform of an officer serving with the Peeblesshire Local Militia.

Such units were set up to protect the population in the event of an invasion from French military leader Napoleon.

The Supporters of the Chambers Institution Peebles (SCIP) have a 6 February deadline on their rescue plan.

There are virtually no traces left of the militia group - formed in 1808 but disbanded in 1816....

Read entire article at BBC