Tag: servant

Up and Down Stairs – Dorset County Museum

Around 70 people enjoyed a vintage evening in Dorchester at the Dorset County Museum for this talk by Jeremy Musson. Best known for his BBC2 series “The Curious Guest House”, Jeremy was an excellent speaker and took us back in time from the early 1500’s all the way to the shabby chic revolution that became fashionable in the 1940’s and 50’s when the war forced many large households to forgo their staff and luxury. I don’t think shabby chic applies to the glorious Lismore Estate (which apparently you can for a mere 35K per week), but there were lots of hilarious insights into life below stairs in provincial houses and country estates througout the ages. My favourite quote of the evening came from a guide for servants in the 15th century which states “If you see a bit of dirt in a cup… don’t use your tongue to clean it”! A good solid piece of advice for any circumstance I’d say!

Up and Down Stairs: The History of the Country House Servant

Friday 10th September, 2010 – 7.30pm

Location: Dorset County Museum

Jeremy Musson explores the hidden world of the domestic servant. An established architectural historian, broadcaster and writer Jeremy lectures at the Victoria and Albert museum, Tate Britain and Cambridge University amongst many other places. His enthusiasm and great knowledge of architecture, history, the arts and people of culture spills over into his latest book and talk at the Dorset County Museum bringing the past to life.