A Month in the Country 4 - People, Places, Things

Ever since we moved to Newbury  - forty years ago - this character has been a fixture in our local museum. A Cromwellian soldier of the English Civil War, grasping his wounded face,  he terrified the boys when we made visits, so much so that the room he inhabited was scooted though at the fastest possible speed. But oh, how we remembered him!

Being lucky enough to live here in Autumn Cottage in a centuries old building (listed on the UK Historical Buildings Record as '17th century' - so dating any time between 1600 and 1699), I often find fragments of items in my own garden similar to those items in the museum - and the information there (and from the local archaeologists) helps me to make sense of them; whether it is the lead musket balls, or the cap to a measure of gunpowder (an 'Apostle' worn across the chest as 12 charges, and particular to the Civil War period ) - I am able to link  the story of this place, my place, to the bigger story of my locality and my land. The story if these items and this place is part of my identity - the story of myself. A well told story in a museum can help us to understand so much more about ourselves; partially, but not completely, through our items, and at this time in our history, this can surely be only a good thing?

(If you would like to learn more of life in a house such as Autumn Cottage in the 17th century, you may enjoy this very fine TV series - 'Tales From the Green Valley' )

Journal Prompt; What memories do you have of Museums? Were you a visitor or were/
they places of little interest? Are there any items that you particularly remember - in the past, or in your own present local  repository?

Have an adventure…find your local museum and pay a visit. Take along anything you may have found in your locality - at home or elsewhere and find out about it. If you have nothing available…choose one item in the museum that draws your attention. Write its story. It does not have to be true!. What have you discovered about your own place that you did not already know?

The Old Cloth Hall - West Berkshire Museum, Newbury

 

Comments

[Claire]

Thanks so much for info re the TV series. I've never seen/heard of it! Episode 1 was fascinating - what an experience! I'll now pace myself through all the episodes, as I do actually have stuff to do today :)