Women’s Land Army
Photograph of 'Land Girls' on a Wiltshire farm close to Devizes. The Women's Land Army boosted agricultural production during the Second World War as men left to serve in the armed forces. We have a recording by Jean Davis that gives a vivid picture of being a Land Girl, listen
Wiltshire Words – Dartnell and Goddard
A Glossary of Words used in the County of Wiltshire by George Edward Dartnell and the Rev. Edward Hungerford Goddard, MA, published for the English Dialect Society in 1893. This book records dialect words used in Wiltshire in the 18th and 19th Centuries. It is a fascinating record of the
Wiltshire’s Grape Cups
The Museum has in its collection several small pottery vessels that belong to a category of small ceramic containers found with Bronze Age burials, known as incense cups. They were given that name by Sir Richard Colt Hoare of Stourhead in his book Ancient Wiltshire published in 1812. Colt Hoare
Sandy’s Japanese Food Box
Library volunteer Sandy discusses her chosen object and why it is important to her... "This small box is made of wood and is coated with lacquer using traditional Japanese colours. There are three layers to the box – a deep base, on top of which is a perfectly fitted segmented
Mammoth Tooth
We have several mammoth teeth in the Museum collection. A couple of these discovered in Westbury were from a baby mammoth. The tooth pictured is by far the largest in our collection - measuring about the same lenght as a shoe box! However, we sadly know very little about where
Devizes 18th Century Annual Cucumber Feast
No person shall be permitted to shew cucumbers raised in hot houses or stoves; they must prove the cucumbers to be of their own raising. Did you know that Devizes held an annual cucumber feast in the 18th century? Rules were very strict and there was no place for cheating
West Kennet Beaker
This Beaker was one of two placed upside-down in the filling of one of the chambers of West Kennet long barrow, and dates to about 2,400BC. It may have been an offering to the ancestors, placed during the closing down of the long barrow. 3D Model The Beaker was scanned
Pots excavated by Maud Cunnington
Currently touring Wessex Museums as part of our latest 'Objects on Tour' are Iron Age pots, these were excavated by Maud Cunnington at All Cannings Cross. Famous for her work on the prehistoric sites of Wiltshire, Maud led many important early excavations across the county. She was committed to bringing
Balloonomania in 18th Century Wiltshire
"At last we see the Balloon making its way slowly amongst the stars . . . like a Star of the 2nd Magnitude" Balloonmania began in 18th century France, with the flight of the Montgolfier brothers in 1783 (in a balloon inflated with hot air). It wasn't long before interest
Katy and a sherd of Roman pottery
Katie is talking about her work as a pottery specialist and how Maud Cunnington has inspired her. Watch the video below …