The start of August saw us at this delightful Georgian house near the castle in Colchester where the museum was celebrating  all things Victorian.  The  amateur lady Egyptologist  had a wide variety of artifacts from the tombs of the Pharaohs  which she explained, along with graphic  descriptions  of the mummification process  which  held visitors, especially children, in horrifed fascination.  The late Victorian period saw  popular fascination with other cultures, and  both men and women who had the means to support their interest took an active part in developing the science of archaeology.

On Saturday the strict Victorian schoolmistress held sway in the classroom, and children were expected to speak clearly and precisely - but only when asked to do so. They heard about rote learning, and recitation , saw a Victorian primer and then practised their copperplate on either slates or with dip pens. Toys were an added attraction for all ages, and many older visitors were reminded of childhood favourites whilst proving to children that they hadn't lost their touch with marbles, acrobats, yoyos and the like. On Sunday the kindlier face of the governess held sway, and children heard about Sunday toys and life in the nursery before visiting the museum's own excellent toy collection, including an exceptional Noah's Ark and dolls' houses.

Out in the main hall the demonstration of spinning held people mesmerised and they were able to see a variety of sewing techniques and lace making in action as well as finished samples. This demonstration complemented the museum's own collection of sewing ephemera contained in one of the galleries.

If you live in the Colchester area but haven't visited this museum then try to find time to do so as it houses an interesting collection of social history items which will interest children and adults as well as having a varied calender of events throughout the holidays.