Cavalcade of Costume: Blandford Forum

July 2007

After a warm welcome from Curator Gordon Boutelle, he went on to give us a short history of the house and museum. Lime Tree House was built in 1731 after the disastrous fire that destroyed most of Blandford Forum and is a delightful, elegant Georgian house, bought by a generous benefactor for the costume collection of Mrs. Penny M.B.E, who had placed it in trust for the town. The now registered museum started in 1995 and is run by volunteers. They have over 3,000 items of costume from 1735-1970. A significant collection is housed of 17thC shoes, Dorset Bonnets, 1950’s cocktail hats, fans, parasols, evening bags, 3 Hartnell and 20 wedding dresses, to name but a few.

So let’s start the tour of this fascinating collection. The Victorian parlour with 3 dresses 1889 – 1893 plus some men’s attire, the panelled Georgian room with suitable furnishings (“Ladies take tea”) again three dresses were on view 1810 to 1820 and a delightful, charming display of children’s clothes and toys (1850-1950). In a nook of this fascinating house was a beautiful display of the wardrobe of an English lady who went to Bombay in 1887 to marry-several richly embroidered capes and a lovely white and gold embroidered dress worn with a blue and gold embroidered cape all in the Indian style.

Next, the accessories room full of goodies arranged in decades then onto the big room, the theme being “A Great Day Out”. Six scenes 1840 – a Walk in the Gardens, 1851 the Great Exhibition, 1870 to Brighton and back for 3/6d, 1908 Weymouth Beach, 1940’s – Lets go to the Movies and 1962-63 - Confetti and Cake (smart wedding guest outfits.)

Displayed in a small area near the stairs were 4 couture items – two Caroline Charles and one each of Bruce Oldfied and Janice Wainwright. Upstairs, one of the smaller rooms had an excellent display of lace. The other two larger rooms had costumes, hats, bags and underwear from the 1940 and 1950 era. “Pass the Port” was an evocative setting for an Edwardian Dinner Party 1901-1914. On the way round we passed cases of evening bags, a comprehensive display of Dorset buttons and some small dolls dressed in historical costume. There was a small resources room with items to be handled that were past repair such as a dress that at some time had been backed with iron on Vilene to conserve it (whoops!).

So you will see we had a very happy time at this small but beautiful museum with the variety of objects AND a super little tea room and shop.

Thanks to the organisers for this lovely day out and also to the museum ladies for their attention.

Web site – www.cavalcadeofcostume.co.uk