The Lace Room
Please note:
From September 15th 2019 until the end of 2020 the lace room will be closed for an exciting redevelopment! If your group would like to see our lace collection, with a few weeks prior notice we can bring examples out of storage. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
From the late 16th to the late 19th century Olney was a lace-making town. Trace the development of this cottage industry through old pictures, photographs & examples of beautiful hand-made lace. You will also discover how William & John supported the lacemakers when they fell on hard times.
‘Yon cottager, who weaves at her own door,
Pillow and bobbins all her little store;
Content though mean, and cheerful if not gay,
Shuffling her threads about the live-long day,’
– ‘Truth’, William Cowper
Find out more:
Elizabeth Knight’s introduction to lace-making (ODHS Website)
