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

  • 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!

     

  • To take mildew out of linen

    Take soap and rub it well, then scrape on some fine chalk, rub that also into the linen, lay it on the grass, as it dries, wet it a little, it will come out at twice doing. 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!

     

  • 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!

     

  • 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!

     

  • 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!

     

Year: 2022

Christmas Open Day

Come and see our 16ft Christmas tree, warm yourself in front of our roaring fires, learn about Victorian Christmas traditions and let our volunteers serve you delicious cakes and coffee…

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Strictly Sherlock

Join the king of the detectives as he brings to life some of his greatest and most baffling cases. This original one-man show has been adapted from the originals written…

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RIDDLE ME THIS / PENDRONWCH Y POS

Wales is the birthplace of many a famous pirate – but none so famous as Black Bart. Our land is filled with legendary tales of lost pirate treasure, and of…

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HERE BE DRAGONS / MAE YMA DDREIGIAU

Help! We think a dragon’s egg got mixed up with artifacts in our museum’s storeroom, and in this summer’s hot weather, it’s hatched! Now we have a baby dragon roaming…

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Haunted Halloween – Family Trail

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The passing of Elizabeth II

  Occasionally, our building is reminded of its true importance to our historic county. A message from our town council: ‘A Proclamation for the new King will take place at…

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Autumn Exhibition

  “I have become fascinated with the effect of moonlight on the landscape, particularly in the early evening in winter, when the moon is low in the sky, and can…

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Summer Holiday Fun 2022

Objects about the house that really shouldn’t be there – what would the Judge say?!  19 things to hunt down in the Judge’s rooms – the only clues we give…

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Fancy joining our team?

Want to join our team for summer 2022? We’re looking for someone to join us front of house July-Sept. We’re very friendly and it really is a rather fun place…

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In Praise of the High Street

Remember your High Street. They have supported their communities for hundreds of years! In 2020, as we all were thrown into a world where simply going shopping became a rare…

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Jubilee Fun – Queen Victoria’s lost crowns!

Queen Victoria wants to try on a new crown – she has so many, but she can’t find them!  Hunt for them through the Judge’s period rooms to win yourself…

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Thank you for helping us achieve 25 wonderful years

A note of thanks on our 25th birthday to all of you who have supported us. On the 24th May 1997, actor Robert Hardy descended the steps of an 1860s…

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Spring Fundraising Concert

May 20th 2022

Two local choirs will be performing in a Spring Concert at St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne on Friday 20 May starting at 7.30pm in what promises to be a feast of…

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Bertie Bunny’s Carrot Hunt

8th – 23rd April 2022 It’s been three years since we could let you hunt for Easter clues around the building and we’re so excited to welcome you back!  Online…

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Ghost Stories for Christmas

Online & free!  Telling ghost stories at Christmas is an old tradition, enjoyed hugely by the Victorians (the most famous example, being, of course, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol).  Here at…

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