Ada Brown worked as a housemaid at Preston Manor appearing on the 1901 census with six other servants. She then disappeared from history and ordinarily her life would be forgotten. However, the opening of the 1921 census in 2022 began … Continued
The release to the public of the 1921 census on 6 January 2022 has opened the door to a day in the life of Preston Manor when it was a private house. The Manor would not become a museum until 1933. … Continued
At Preston Manor in the summer of 2015 we lifted the lid on the dark-side of the Victorian kitchen with an event in planning for a long time but which needed a strong stomach to create. The finished product turned … Continued
The infamous playwright and poet, Oscar Wilde visited the Royal Pavilion and presented two of his popular art & life lectures on 17 and 18 November 1884. To mark the anniversary of the occasion we recreated Wilde’s visit on Saturday … Continued
In 1912 Mr Henry Roberts, Director of the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery visited Norway to source paintings for the 1913 Exhibition of Norwegian Art shown at Brighton Museum. As well as this, his intended purpose, Mr Roberts inadvertently supplied … Continued
In 1909 Ellen Thomas-Stanford of Preston Manor took her camera equipment outside and created photographs of the beautiful romantic gardens surrounding her home including this view looking into the walled flower garden, a scene that can be enjoyed today. Over … Continued
In previous blogs I’ve looked at hand-written letters from the Preston Manor archive, and here is another with a story to tell. During the summer of 1979 Preston Manor’s curator Mr David Beevers corresponded with a Mrs Margaret Avis living … Continued
There are five oil painting portraits of the family pet dogs at Preston Manor, pictures that are much-loved by people visiting the house. One day in 2017 a visitor exclaimed on seeing the portrait of Peter, ‘that’s our Alfie!’ and … Continued
A highpoint of my time working as the Adult Learning Officer for Royal Pavilion & Museums Adult Event Programme came in 2014 when the centenary of the start of the First World War bought an opportunity to open the archives … Continued
In 2012 I was the Adult Learning Officer for the Adult Event Programme creating and running public events across Royal Pavilion & Museums. This was one of 46 events that were programmed in 2012. This picture shows the team of … Continued
This picture shows a 1928 Red Dennis Fire Engine parked outside Brighton Museum & Art Gallery with the Royal Pavilion seen behind. Photographed in July 2009 the highly-polished and beautifully preserved engine is decked with a banner and balloons celebrating … Continued
In 2009 I was the Adult Learning Officer for the Adult Event Programme creating and running public events across Royal Pavilion & Museums. This was one of 62 events that were programmed in 2009. This historical fencing demonstration took place … Continued
During the summer season 2019 families visiting Preston Manor were challenged by a specially created Riddle Trail. The trail took them on a journey around the house encountering Victorian brain-teasers, puns and puzzles on the way. Arguably the most famous … Continued
In October we’ll be running House of Ghosts, an event exploring the dark side of Preston Manor. Ahead of this, Paula Wrightson looks at the story of another haunted house, Borley Rectory, and finds some suprising similarities with Preston Manor. … Continued
Paula Wrightson follows the owners of Preston Manor on a tour through Egypt at the start of the twentieth century. Through a photograph album held at the manor, she traces their route across the country at a time when the … Continued
When you get to springtime and the Christmas tree and baubles are long packed away and your only thoughts are for the summer ahead, set a moment aside to think of the Father Christmas event organiser. In late April I … Continued
Paula Wrightson finds one of Preston Manor’s much loved dogs and reverses the sad story of Tatters using newly found evidence. One of the tombstones in Preston Manor’s pet cemetery has the following touching inscription: ‘Here lies Tatters not that … Continued
Paula Wrightson reveals the surprising links between Preston Manor and the sinking of the Titanic. Facebook Live video stream from 9 March.
Paula Wrightson on the famous seance held at Preston Manor in 1896. Facebook Live video stream from 24 August 2017.
Paula Wrightson conducts a guided tour of Preston Manor’s pet cemetery. Facebook Live video stream from 7 September 2017.
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