Description

Where do the following objects come from? And what is their connection to Burford?

Civil War order
A stone mason’s seventeenth-century daybook
Parish pump
Dolls’ house
The golden dragon
A school desk
Needlework samplers

The Treasures of the Burford Tolsey Museum explains all.

Encapsulated in over fifty treasures, this book showcases fascinating examples of the unique collection held by the Burford Tolsey Museum, one that chronicles the rich heritage of this ancient Cotswold town. Each treasure has a photograph and explanations of its use and origin. Profusely illustrated, many photographs capture the town as it was, alongside the same buildings today, so that we can see how their appearances and uses have changed over time.

Since the museum opened in 1960, objects of direct relevance to the town, dating across the centuries, have been saved for posterity, many relatively unimportant on their own, but when brought together, provide a unique flavour of the bygone history of Burford and its community.

The descriptions of the objects featured were compiled by Chris Walker who for fifty years skilfully curated, built and nurtured this distinct museum collection for everyone to enjoy. This book is dedicated to his memory.