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
Here’s the latest story from our What’s in the Box display. Collections Assistant Lucy Faithful on how a display of shell-shaped ceramics at Hove Museum can both twist your tongue and give an insight into the changing fashions and ideas … Continued
The gateway at the southern entrance to the Royal Pavilion estate has gone through many transformations. The existing India Gate dates from 1921 and was designed by Thomas Tyrwhitt in a simple Gujarati style. It was erected as a gift … Continued
The Booth Museum is a wonderful showcase of Victorian taxidermy, but one of the main features of Edward Thomas Booth’s displays are the dioramas his birds are displayed in. The typical manner of displaying taxidermied birds during the Victorian period … Continued
The Stanfords and their Servants At Preston Manor, owned by the Stanford family, there is documentary evidence to contrast dinner in the dining room with supper in the servants’ hall. A typical menu for the Stanfords and their guests consisted … Continued
Until recently, a series of photographs taken in 1909 by the owner of Preston Manor, Ellen Thomas-Stanford, comprised the earliest known views of the interior of the house. In 1982 a series of watercolours was purchased depicting the interior and … Continued
The first thing to strike a visitor to the Booth Museum is the smell of the place – which is basically ‘mothballs’. And if you think it’s noticeable in the main gallery you should spend the day in the stores … Continued
I went to the legendary Booth Museum yesterday and I will certainly be going back some more during my Blogger-in-Residence time. I had ‘the tour’ from Keeper John Cooper and it was every bit as fascinating as promised. I’ve mulled … Continued
On 13 April 1838 the Brighton Gazette informed its readers that a local gardener had been attacked by a mysterious creature. The attack took place between 9 and 10 pm in what would now be described as the Round Hill area … Continued
The Booth Museum has had two international visitors this month on very different missions. Both were from North America, and both are studying for their Ph.D.s. First we welcomed Caitlin Silberman from California, but studying for her doctorate in Art … Continued
Beginning as a circular rented lawn in front of the Steine, the gardens of the Royal Pavilion eventually comprised over seven acres of grounds. The changes to these grounds reflected the life and fortunes of George IV as Prince of … Continued
For most people taking holidays, either abroad or in the UK, is a normal part of everyday life. But for many of those in Victorian England, the concept of taking a holiday was completely unknown. Everyone was entitled to days off … Continued
…Kevin Bentman, Visitor Services Officer I have been working for the council for over 10 years now at three local buildings, Preston Manor, the Booth Museum of Natural History and Hove Museum & Art Galleries. The Visitor Services Officers are … Continued
During the week of 7 – 11 November 2011, the Booth Museum was closed for a well needed spruce up. The plan for the week was for staff from across Brighton Museum service to descend upon the Booth Museum and give it … Continued
This autumn Brighton celebrates the 90th anniversary of the Royal Pavilion’s India Gate, as part of a wider celebration of Indian culture. India is well known as a vibrant, exotic and colourful country, and this is also reflected in the wildlife … Continued
The Victorian era is considered the golden age of natural history collecting. The pursuit of fauna and flora from around the planet was driven both by a desire to learn about nature, as well as a quest to prove oneself … Continued
The nineteenth century was an age of science and industry, and one where individual inventors could transform the world. These enterprising pioneers are still ritually recalled alongside their inventions: Marconi and radio, Bell and the telephone, Benz and the motorcar. … Continued
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