Strange But True

Strange But True

  • Inexpressibles

    The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers,  as they showed off their leg muscles.

  • What did Victoria do first

    after her coronation in 1837?  Have a parliamentary meeting?  Have tea with all the royal dignitaries?  No – she gave her dog, Dash, a bath.

     

  • Now that’s what we call a cake!

    Victoria and Albert’s wedding cake was a colossal 9 feet wide and weighed 300 pounds.

     

  • Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle

    Once they got all those big dresses on, they couldn’t reach their knickers to pull them down, so they could stand over a potty to wee with these on instead.

     

  • Would you wee in your dining room?

    Victorian gentlemen did! Some dining rooms (like ours) had a special cupboard to house a chamber pot so all the gentlemen could go for a wee without leaving the table (once the ladies had left the room, of course!).

     

  • The last ducking stool to be used in England

    (in 1809) can still be seen not far from us in the Priory Church, Leominster, Herefordshire. It’s huge.

     

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

  • An insect trap

    Scoop out the inside of a turnip, scallop the edges, and place it downward in the earth. The insects will pass into it as a place of retreat through the holes, and the cucumbers, squashes, melons etc., may soon be clear of them.  1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • Anti-magnetic properties of the onion

    The magnetic power of a compass needle, will be entirely discharged or changed by being touched with the juice of an onion.

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.

    Dip a soft brush in water, rub a little soap on it, and brush the article for a minute or two, then wash it clean, wipe it, and place it near the fire till dry, then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered. 1823

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To remove grease from books

    Lay upon the spoon a little magnesium or powdered chalk, and under it the same; set on it a warm flat iron, and as soon as the grease is melted, it will be all absorbed, and leave the paper clean. 1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • Antidote against mice

    Gather wild mint, put it where you wish to keep them out, and they will not trouble you. 1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • Keeping your kettle clean

    To prevent teakettles coating with lime – put the shell of an oyster in the teakettle and the lime will adhere to it, instead of coating the sides. 1852

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

Very pleased with our new award

Very pleased with our new award

Sandford Award

Newsflash!  We’ve just heard that gaby and Dave, the Curator and Museum Assistant, are off to the Houses of Parliament to get the award in February.  Thanks to all the schools and other educational groups who support us in our work.  December 2010

The Judge’s Lodging has just been awarded the prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Education.  This is the second time the museum has been given this award, which recognises the achievements of historic sites who meet the tough criteria laid out by the Heritage Education Trust.  This is a non-competitive award, where heritage properties from around the UK are nominated or invited to apply and be assessed by a panel of independent judges.

The current panel of Judges is drawn from professional educationalists including OFSTED Inspectors, former head teachers, education consultants and heritage property based education officers.

Awards are presented to the winners at a National Presentation Ceremony held at one of the winning properties later in the year. It’s a major event in the Heritage Education calendar.  In 2005, when The Judge’s Lodging first won this award, the then UK Minister for Culture, David Lammy, presented curator Gaby Rivers with the award certificate at a ceremony at Big Pit National Coal Museum. Staff are now excitedly waiting to discover where they will go to receive this award (and who from!).

Gaby is delighted by the news and says it could not have been possible without the incredible dedication of her staff, who work so hard to ensure that every school group has a wonderful day at the museum.

The detailed report, written by the award judges, finishes with this citation:

‘It is a refreshing change to visit a historic property and to be told that you are able to handle any of the Victorian artefacts on display and that there are no barriers.  Of all the senses touch is perhaps the most revealing and available to all. To hold and feel demonstrates the weight, texture, the materials from which an object was made and its structure. For children and teachers visiting ‘The Judge’s Lodging’ there is no stress, no evidence of intimidation, each pupil is encouraged and thus allowed to learn at their own level.’ 

You can find more information on the Sandford Award here

 

July 2010

 

 

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