Aldbourne Heritage Centre
Aldbourne Heritage Centre is a local museum and heritage centre in North-East Wiltshire located next to The Crown Inn[1] in the centre of Aldbourne. It first opened in August 2014, presenting objects and displays which provide insights into the rich history of Aldbourne from prehistoric times to the present day and which are of interest both to visitors to the village and to residents. It is managed by the Aldbourne Community Heritage Group (ACHG), which also organises monthly talks and events on topics related to local history.
Partners
The Heritage Centre is a member of the South Western Federation of Museums and Art Galleries. It is also a partner in the Wiltshire Museums project "Wiltshire's Story in 100 Objects",[2] a touring exhibition celebrating the rich history of the county, having provided an 18th-century crotal bell cast in Aldbourne as one of the 100 objects.
Exhibitions
The Centre presents a changing set of displays, covering a diverse range of subjects, such as:
- the Aldbourne Cup - a finely-decorated incense cup from the early Bronze Age;
- court cases between local tenants and The Crown in 1560 (Queen Elizabeth) and 1607 (King James I);
- the effects of the Enclosure Acts in the early 19th century;
- the development of local industries such as fustian-weaving and chair-making;
- the important bell founding industry which operated in Aldbourne from the 17th-19th centuries;
- the effects of fires and floods in the village from the 18th century to the present day;
- racehorse training before and after World War II; and
- the residence in Aldbourne of Easy Company of the US Army 101st Airborne Division (later popularised in book and film as Band of Brothers) in the lead up to D-Day.
Objects on display include prehistoric flints used as tools and recovered from local Bronze Age barrows; copies of mediaeval and Tudor documents relating to the exercise of manorial rights by the Duchy of Lancaster and the judgments of manorial courts; a range of hand-bells and crotal bells made in Aldbourne by the Corr and Wells families (and others); a 19th century fireman’s helmet; and items relating to the wartime residence of US military personnel in the village. The Centre is also custodian of a collection of around 8500 19th and 20th century photographs.
Opening Times
The Centre is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays and on Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer. Visits at other times can be arranged by appointment.
See also
Other Links
Aldbourne Community Heritage Group on the Aldbourne Net
References
- ↑ "The Crown". Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ↑ "Wiltshire's Story in 100 Objects". Retrieved 22 June 2015.
Coordinates: 51°32′30″N 1°54′18″W / 51.5417°N 1.9049°W