Sue’s genealogical research suggest that back in the late eighteenth century one of her forbears married a silversmith who was a Huguenot. They got married in Soho, which is one of the areas of London that was settled by Huguenot refugees, and many of the refugees were either silk weavers or silversmiths. As the Huguenot Museum is situated in Rochester (which is about a forty-minute drive from where we live) we decided to visit it last Tuesday.
We parked in the centre of Rochester and made our way along the High Street to the museum. Along the way we passed the French Hospital, which is nowadays a group of almshouses that were built to provide homes for the descendants of the Huguenot refugees.
The original hospital was situated in London and was established in 1718 to give care and support to those Huguenots who had fallen ill or were destitute. It moved to Rochester in 1959, and now provides sheltered homes for fifty-five residents.
The museum is situated on the second floor of the tourist information centre, and entry cost us £4.50 each fora ticket that is valid for a year. On the day we visited, it was staffed by two ladies who were residents of the French Hospital. They were very welcoming and helped Sue to make contact with the volunteer researchers who work in the museum. Unfortunately, they were not there on the day we visited, but we hope to go back when they are.
The museum is quite small, but as the photographs show, it is well laid out and there is lots to see. I’d certainly recommend anyone who thinks they might be of Huguenot descent to pay it a visit if you are in the area.
Whilst we were in Rochester, I was able to visit Baggins Bookshop, where I bought a copy of Edward M Nevins’ FORCES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE 1914. This was published by Vandamere Press in 1992 and is illustrated with photographs of painted 54mm figures (ISBN 1 918339 18 9). It also has an introduction penned by David Chandler.
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Bob,
ReplyDeleteThat book is a great find. I used it as my "go to" reference for painting my "Invasion of 1897" British and Empire figures. It's a shame that more people aren't aware of it as it shows model soldiers of every regiment and corps that you could possibly imagine.
Andy
Andy Hussey,
DeleteI had never seen this book before ... but now I have a copy, I realise just how useful it will be for me for my Belle Époque project.
The photographs of the painted figures are phenomenal and the detail about each regiment and corps is very helpful as it lists regular, reserve, irregular, and Imperial Service troops.
I can see why you consider it to be a 'go to' reference book!
All the best,
Bob
We went round the French Hospital on one of the Heritage Open Days a few years ago which was interesting. Glad the museum is open again, it had been closed for a while.
ReplyDeleteNigel Drury,
DeleteIt is certainly one of those small places in Rochester that make a day's visit to the town worthwhile.
The museum is small but modern, and the volunteers were extremely helpful, as were the research staff when Sue contacted them by email.
All the best,
Bob
I saw this on one of those BBC antiques programmes (Flog it?) where they take a break to look at something local. I thought the museum looked good and well worth a visit. Maybe one day we might take a long weekend on the North Kent coast which is meant to be very nice.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteYou could easily spend a couple of days in Rochester and Chatham. Besides Rochester Cathedral, Rochester Castle, and the Huguenot Museum in Rochester, there is Chatham Dockyard and Fort Amherst just up the road in Chatham, and the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham. On the opposite bank of the Medway there is Upnor Castle in Upper Upnor and a Knights Templar chapel and commandery in Strood.
All the best,
Bob