Month: March 2018

History

The Kelpies

As a new monument I’ve questioned whether The Kelpies should be on my history blog. But working on the premise that yesterday is history and indeed, in twenty years’ time this monument should still be drawing visitors, it’s made the cut. The Kelpies are a landmark feature of The Helix Environmental Regeneration Scheme on the Forth and Clyde Canal near Falkirk, Scotland. Designed by sculptor … Continue reading The Kelpies

HistorianRuby13 Comments
Blogging, History

Sourcing History for Blogging: Six Months of History Trips

In June 2016 I started my history blog with a lot of enthusiasm, unfortunately by early August my enthusiasm fizzled out. I had planned to write about my visits to stately homes and other historic sites, but instead I edited a 2013 university paper on accused 19th century poisoner, Eliza Fenning, posted it to my blog and forgot about writing – except for one article … Continue reading Sourcing History for Blogging: Six Months of History Trips

HistorianRuby6 Comments
History

Fashion Museum: A History of Fashion in 100 Objects – Part Three

I visited Bath Fashion Museum recently, specifically to see their special exhibition at the Fashion Museum, Royal Women: Public Life, Personal Style that you can read about here. In this third post I will once again showcase their ‘treasures’. In ‘Part One’ I focused on items that the museum displayed from before the nineteenth century, in ‘Part Two’ I looked at fashions from the end of the eighteenth … Continue reading Fashion Museum: A History of Fashion in 100 Objects – Part Three

HistorianRuby11 Comments
History

Fashion Museum: A History of Fashion in 100 Objects – Part Two

I had the pleasure of visiting Bath Fashion Museum recently. In this second post I will once again showcase their ‘treasures’. In ‘Part One’ I focused on items that the museum displayed from before the nineteenth century in ‘Part Two’ I will take you on a fashion journey from the end of the eighteenth century through the nineteenth century. You can read my earlier post … Continue reading Fashion Museum: A History of Fashion in 100 Objects – Part Two

HistorianRuby10 Comments
History

Fashion Museum: A History of Fashion in 100 Objects – Part One

I had the pleasure of visiting Bath Fashion Museum recently. In this post I’m going to share some of my photographs of the ‘treasures’ of the Fashion Museum. You can read my earlier post on the special exhibition at the Fashion Museum, Royal Women: Public Life, Personal Style here. Once again, a darkened exhibition with lighting reflecting off information boards on the opposite exhibition case caused … Continue reading Fashion Museum: A History of Fashion in 100 Objects – Part One

HistorianRuby12 Comments
History

The Many Ways to Consume History

History as entertainment can be consumed without you knowing it. The popularity of historical dramas, Downton Abbey, Jamaica Inn, Jamestown, The Crown and Victoria, to name a few, help educate the public, albeit passively, and at the risk of the odd inaccuracy if an historical advisor has not been consulted. Traditionally, history was consumed through reading text books and learning dates by rote – I … Continue reading The Many Ways to Consume History

HistorianRuby16 Comments
19th Century, 20th Century, History

The Fashion Museum, Bath: Royal Women

A few days ago I visited the Fashion Museum, Bath. They are currently running an exhibition of royal women’s fashion, including the wedding dress of Edward VII’s Queen Consort, Alexandra. It opened at the beginning of February and will remain on display until 28 April 2019. It was a must-see event for me and if you’ve previously read my post on the exhibition at Kensington … Continue reading The Fashion Museum, Bath: Royal Women

HistorianRuby20 Comments
Family History, History

Patrick Gray: Using Newspapers for Genealogy

Somewhere in my family tree files there’s a sepia-toned newspaper cutting that belonged to my grandmother and my mother passed it to me. On reflection it was probably my grandfather’s and he died in 1941. It was his father’s obituary from 1919. While away from home I decided to have a search on the British Newspaper Archives website to see if I could find it. … Continue reading Patrick Gray: Using Newspapers for Genealogy

HistorianRuby16 Comments
18th Century, History

Hampton Court Palace: The Chocolate Kitchen

During my recent visit to Hampton Court Palace I paid a quick visit to their Chocolate Kitchens. They were originally built for William III and Mary II towards the end of the seventeenth century when the Palace was re-designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the Baroque style. However, they were not in full use until the Georgian era. Thomas Tosier was the chocolate chef for … Continue reading Hampton Court Palace: The Chocolate Kitchen

HistorianRuby17 Comments
19th Century, History

1881: When the River Mersey Froze

Britain shivers and many people who have it much tougher over the winter months mock our unpreparedness and histrionics regarding late winter – and very early spring – snowfall. However, we’ve just had our coldest March day on record. It’s an unusual start to spring with the ‘Beast from the East’ and Storm Emma affecting our weather for several days. It might be an unusual … Continue reading 1881: When the River Mersey Froze

HistorianRuby4 Comments