We did it - and now we want to share it with YOU!

In August 2010, The John Moore Countryside Museum was awarded just under £35,000 towards the implementation of a brand new, multi media interpretation project in the Merchant’s House. The aim of the project was to explore the history of this unique row of 15th century timber framed buildings, originally thought to have been built as a property speculation by the monks of Tewkesbury Abbey.

Speaking at the time, curator Simon Lawton said, ‘We have known for a long time that the Merchant’s House has the potential to be much more than a beautifully restored listed building. We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled us to capture the experience of living in the row both in Tudor times and, more importantly, today, leaving an important legacy for the next generation.’

An existing archive of newspaper cuttings owned by the Abbey Lawn Trust revealed that the row had a chequered history, having been threatened with demolition on a number of occasions to make way for new car parks and superstores. The most recent of these threats came in the 1960s when the houses were still largely residential and commercial properties. It was in this decade that the cottages were acquired by the Abbey Lawn Trust, a group comprising of a number of local landowners, all of whom were keen to preserve these unique buildings for generations to come. Thankfully after tireless campaigning and fundraising efforts, the trust succeeded to preventing the demolition and began the process of restoring the properties.

When the HLF project first began we invited visitors to contribute their own memories and reminiscences for our records and were overwhelmed by the number of former residents who came forward. Their childhood memories have been captured as part of the project and now form part of our new oral history archive which will soon be available to access on our website. Our team of dedicated volunteers have to date uncovered census returns dating all the way back to the 1800’s detailing the names and occupations of the cottages residents. Thanks to the help the the Local History Society and Gloucestershire Archives we are confident that we can go back even further than this when we resume our research in September. One day we may even discover the names of some the properties’ original residents!

We owe tremendous thanks to the numerous talented local craftsmen and women who have furnished the house with such historical accuracy, and also to our re-enactors who have captured the imaginations of so many visitors on many occasions. You can now listen to recollections of some of these ‘Tudor’ characters on our new audio guides and delve into our character boxes to uncover and handle some of their belongings.

Don’t just take our word for it! Join us to discover all of the exciting new features that we have to offer and explore our fully furnished Tudor Merchant’s House and Shop. With a number of events scheduled to take place throughout the coming months and the museum open from 10am to 5pm daily, this is one attraction that you don’t want to miss.

A close shave for visitors to the Merchant's House

Free medieval health checks were on offer for all who visited the Merchants House on 19th February 2011. Armed with his trusty medicine chest stocked full of the tools and potions of the trade, John Deighton, Chirurgeon and barber-surgeon of Gloster, revealed the gory realities of healthcare in the 15th and 16th centuries.

From trephining to blood-letting, powdered spiders to leeches, visitors were treated to a step by step account of some of the most commonly performed operations of the Tudor era, an age when mortality rates were high and anaesthetic was unheard of.

More than 70 people attended the event and were fascinated to discover that several of the prescribed treatments may have helped to shape the beliefs and practices common to modern medicine.

Lessons in uroscopy and amputation were both on the cards but (rather surprisingly) attracted few volunteers when it came to the demonstration!

With such a wealth of information on offer this event proved to be one appointment that nobody wanted to miss!

The Barber Surgeon will be returning to the Merchant’s House in October 2011 as part of our Halloween celebrations. For further information about this or any of our other events please visit our website : www.johnmooremuseum.org

'Eat, Drink & Be Merry'

Visitors to the Merchant’s House on 30th December 2010 enjoyed an exclusive trip back in time as Christmas was celebrated ‘Tudor style’ for the first time in over 400 years.

Thanks to a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and advisors, the house was adorned with Tudor evergreen garlands and boughs,tables set out with the best family pewter and rooms illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight.

Families and children were given food for thought as they discovered how they might have celebrated Christmas in a Tudor household. Later in the evening visitors were treated to a true taste of a Tudor Christmas with mynce pies and hypocras made using authentic recipes from the period.

One visitor said ‘It was great to be given the chance to find out how people living in my home town would have celebrated the festive period 400 years ago. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before!’

This event also marked the completion and installation of some of our newest furnishings including a trestle table, four benches and four 16th century style wooden chests, all of which have been custom made and handcrafted by skilled local craftsmen.

For information about developments in the Merchant’s House project or to find out more about the historical events scheduled for 2011, keep an eye on our blog or visit our website : www.johnmooremuseum.org

Celebrate Christmas 2010 in true Tudor style

Thursday 30th December 2010

A Tudor Christmas

3.30 & 5.30pm

This Christmas make a visit to the Merchant's House part of your family's celebrations and join us for an exciting one-off event designed to open the house up to new visitors and provide a Christmas treat for our regular guests.

Step back in time as we invite you to join us for a candle lit tour of this unique timber framed building, brought to life by traditional Tudor food and decorations.

Children can enjoy a festive trail, make a pomander, explore our new character boxes and find out how families celebrated Christmas in the house in the 16th century.

Later in the evening adults can enjoy an informal talk and tour of the house as we reveal more about traditional Tudor customs, followed by a complimentary glass of mulled wine. You can even pick up some Tudor recipes to take home and try for yourself.

Wrap up warm and come and join us on Thursday 30th December from 3.30pm (for families) and 5.30pm (adults only). Tickets are available from the John Moore Countryside Museum or by contacting us on: 01684 297174

Admission – Adults: £2.50, Concessions: £2.25, Children: Under 5s FREE, Over 5 £1.50, Family: (2 adults, 2 children) £6.50

Project Launch Brings Back Old Memories

On 30th October we opened the doors of the Merchant’s House for one final time before we begin installing the new interpretation. For one day only we invited visitors to explore the house free of charge and to let us know what we could do to improve their visit.

For the team, this was an invaluable exercise as we were able to meet our visitors and share our enthusiasm for the project for the first time by showcasing our plans for the new interpretation.

A record 98 visitors took us up on our invitation and we were thrilled to find that 6 of these were former residents of the Merchant’s Row. Together they had a wealth of fascinating memories and have each kindly agreed to share their stories as part of our new Oral History Archive (available to the public from April 2011).

The project is beginning to gather momentum with objects for the character boxes arriving daily and the Oral History team poised and raring to go. Undoubtedly the most exciting development to date has been finding out, first hand, what it is like to live in such unique timber framed buildings, but we still have plenty to discover.

This project brings new and exciting challenges each day so please keep visiting our blog for regular updates from the team.

Project team embarks on new multi-media interpretation project

We have recently embarked on a brand new project, funded by the HLF, to enhance the interpretation of this enchanting building. Below is our first press release, announcing our award. We will be posting regular updates on the project to our mailing list (sign up now if you haven't already), as well as on this blog.

Press Release 24 August 2010

Heritage Lottery Fund interprets life past and present at Countryside Museum

Thanks to an award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), The John Moore Countryside Museum can begin a new multi-media interpretation project. The project will explore the history of the unique row of seventeen Grade 1 listed, 15th century buildings which house the museum complex in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The award of £34,400, announced today, will mean that a much under-explored portion of the buildings’ history can be preserved for future generations.

The project, which starts in September this year, will include the creation of sound recordings featuring a range of people connected with the medieval row of shops and houses, including current residents, building experts, historical consultants and people connected with the original restoration. Visitors to the Merchant’s House, part of the John Moore Museum, will be able to hear ‘voices from the present’ via sophisticated audio guides.

The lives of residents in the Tudor period will also be brought to life with specially commissioned replica 16th century ‘character boxes’ and furniture, educational aids and living history sessions.

The project, led by a newly appointed Education Officer and Project Leader, Lucinda Hall, will involve local residents in the Abbey Lawn Cottages, museum volunteers, local societies and schools.

Simon Lawton, curator at the John Moore Countryside Museum said, ’We have known for a long time that the Merchant’s House has the potential to be much more than a beautifully restored listed building. We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled us to capture the experience of living in the row both in Tudor times and, more importantly, today, leaving an important legacy for the next generation.’

Explaining the importance of the award HLF regional manager Nerys Watts said, ‘This fantastic project will really bring the Museum’s collections to life for everyone to explore. HLF is dedicated to supporting projects that open up our heritage for locals and visitors to learn about and enjoy. The new displays and research that this project will deliver will be a great addition to this beautiful building and its ongoing story.’