This is the final Object Highlight of this run and it is once again brought to you by our Collection Volunteer Pat Whitehead.
Five more artefacts that are apart of my favourite objects which are either on display or in the store.
1) The Museums large collection of objects in the store, which tell the story of Trowbridge’s past, are not on display very often. I am fortunate to do voluntary work within the collection and at present the “Whitaker Collection” is being examined. Of the many objects in this collection l have chosen the scrap books and drawings which were done over one hundred years ago as another of my favourite objects. The scrap books are filled with quotes, poems, drawings and paintings. The colours in the paintings are as rich and bright as the day they were first used. The drawings are beautiful too. The Whitakers were an accomplished family.
2) The school room setting with the black board and desks. The tiny desk for the youngest children which makes me think that even for the very youngest school must have been quite regimented, unlike today where the tiny tots sit on the carpet in a relaxed and comfortable introduction to learning.
3) Returning to the store, another collection that’s impressive is that of the Rev. Crabbe. Over his lifetime he amassed a large collection of shells, fossils and plants. From very tiny, delicate shells to larger examples and leaves from many of our native plants. Considering their age they are in very good condition.
4) Again back in the store and looking at a garment from the Whitaker Collection. The Collection is huge from babies clothes, nightwear, books, household items and many more, the Whitakers were a thirty family and never threw anything away. The garment I have chosen is a jacket and skirt. The fabric and colour are not very special it’s the way in which the skirt was enhanced that caught my my eye and admiration. “Cut Work” was chosen to show the skill of the dressmaker and raise the ensemble out of the ordinary. Contrasting fabric was used as backing and to accentuate the design. The design was outlined in buttonhole stitch worked through both layers of fabric and the top layer was cut away close to the stitching around the design. Embroidery has also been used in this design. It must have taken hours but the resultant work is stunning.
5) l am returning to textile machinery for my fifth object. The large hammers of the fulling stocks are impressive. The cloth would have been prepared by soaping and placed in a trough in a roll or a ball form. The cloth turns under the pounding of the stock fallers. The movement of the fallers felt the cloth. The milling machine superseded the fulling stocks and stands near the stocks in the Museum. The milling machine is a piece of machinery that I’m more familiar with, prior to going into the machine the cloth is run through a soap solution, in rope form, rollers, channeling and compression
felt the cloth. Quite a skilled job!
