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 …
Ann and her camera
Ann talks about how she is inspired by landscapes and how she enjoys sharing her knowledge with other people. Watch her talk about her camera below …
World Book Day 2020
When you think of World Book Day, you wouldn't necessarily associate it with music... However, books come in all shapes and sizes. This World Book Day, our Library volunteers have rediscovered 3 beautifully conserved books containing Services, Anthems and Psalm Tunes for Country Choirs by John Smith. John Smith was
Wiltshire’s Women Writers
For Women’s History Month, we're taking a look back at famous female writers in Wiltshire. One of our Library volunteers has been digging through our stacks (and elsewhere in Wiltshire) and found an incredible array of authors – from the 1600s all the way up to the present day. From