Special display for 50 years of folk and costume museum

The Guernsey Folklore and Costume Museum in Saumarez Park has created a special anniversary exhibition to mark the occasion.

In what was once a barn and ancillary building to the de Saumarez family’s home, there are now different displays, including costumes from the 1920s, wedding dresses from the 20th century and the very best party dresses and ball gowns from decades ago.

Curator Christian Morris said he had been given free rein over what displays he could exhibit this year.

‘The National Trust has around 8,000 items in its costume collection and every item has to be linked to Guernsey,’ he said.

‘The 1920s exhibition is focused on the social change of the time and how that is reflected in the dresses.

‘With a royal wedding taking place this year, we wanted to put some wedding dresses on show.

‘We also have a couple of items of men’s clothing. It is quite difficult with men’s clothing as post the Victorian era they tended to wear items until they fell apart and the outfits became very plain and uniform.

‘We don’t have quite so many male items in our collection, but we have picked out some late 18th century pieces.’

He hoped the exhibition would be popular.

‘We have around 9,000 people come through during the year,’ he said.

‘We’re always grateful for the cruise ships and we obviously have quite a lot of school groups coming through too.

‘This is the first event of a special year at the museum, when we are particularly remembering the contributions made by people and organisations who have been involved with the museum, courtyard and outbuildings throughout the last 50 years.’

He said throughout 2018’s Heritage Festival, the museum would be gathering recollections and news relating to the history of the museum, both before and after its founding.

The museum was opened in 1968 and is owned by the National Trust of Guernsey, which formed eight years before that.

The dedicated site followed the reconstruction of an old Guernsey kitchen in the former barn, which was put together by the States of Guernsey for the Festival of Britain in 1951.

Mr Morris said the building had a long history before it became a museum.

The de Saumarez family lived in the house and on the property until the 1930s. During the Occupation, the house was occupied by Organisation Todt, which was in charge of Russian prisoners of war and other workers, many of whom were housed in the museum building.

Sara Lampitt, of the National Trust of Guernsey, said the body recognised the involvement of La Societe Guernesiaise in getting the museum project off the ground in the 1960s.

‘We have a close relationship with them and look forward to working together in the future.’