A Straw Bonnet Story by Volunteer Ann Grimmer
While using the British Newspaper Archives for some research I kept seeing adverts for Rutland Straw Bonnets throughout the 19th century. Having never heard of such a bonnet I asked …
Anyone for a Pint?
For the last forty-five years the answer would have been, ‘Yes’, but further back in time a definite NO. Why? No 6-8 Mill Street’s façade may not have changed much …
Gravestone Find in Oakham is a Genealogy Gem
My name is Neil Prince, aged 74, and I am a retired Firefighter. I was born in Hednesford, Staffordshire at the home of my maternal Grandmother, Fanny Newton. I was …
Let’s broach the subject of…. Anglo Saxon brooches
Button up, zip up, lace up, buckle up! And don’t forget, hooks and eyes, press studs and Velcro. So many ways to fasten your clothes. For the sixth century Anglo- …
Striped Silk Two Piece
Here is a rather lovely and decidedly jaunty dress from the collection. This one is constructed in two pieces – skirt and jacket – and is made of a fantastic …
The Wonderful World of Smocks
I doubt there are many local history museums without an agricultural smock (or five) in their collections. These loose, cotton or linen garments were fairly ubiquitous in parts of England …
Dolly Mixtures
Through the centuries children have loved to play with dolls. For the most part, it’s the dressing up aspect of doll care that has been a favourite pastime: whether it …
Gold Silk Day Dress
There are a number of objects here at Rutland County Museum which leave us sometimes with more questions than answers. This lovely gold silk day dress is one of them. …
Every Picture Tells a Story
It’s always interesting to research the social history behind some of the images that we have in the museum’s collection of old photographs and postcards. These are often donated to …
Time Gentlemen Please!!
One of the many economic casualties of the pandemic has been the threatened closure of local pubs. Life for landlords and landladies has been particularly uncertain. Many have coped by …