Exploring lacemaking The skilled craft of lace-making was important in Britain from the 17th century, but became more widespread during the 18th and 19th centuries. Lace was used to decorate garments and accessories, such as collars, cuffs, veils, and gloves. It was...
Women’s Land Army Uniform Craven Museum & Gallery, Skipton This somewhat plain but practical outfit, consisting of shirt and breeches, was the ‘Women’s Land Army’ uniform during the Second World War. It was worn between 1942 and 1946 by Mrs...
19th Century ‘back board’ or posture boardWilderspin School Museum, Lincolnshire, with thanks to Leeds Collection If you’ve ever been told to sit up straight, you might well relate to this unpleasant object. Known as a back board or posture board, it was a...
Waterwheel from the Providence Mine, Kettlewell Dales Countryside Museum Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales is built on rocks that are rich in minerals. These minerals have been mined for centuries and the products sold for profit. Until 1875, there was a lot of mining...
Policeman’s TruncheonCraven Museum & Gallery, Skipton This very simple Victorian policeman’s truncheon may not be much to look at, but it holds clues to an important moment in working-class history. It is known to have been used during local Chartist...