VISITING & EVENTS
Talks
Notty has triumphed in creating a treasure trove for costume lovers, and welcomes groups to her seventeenth century home and renovated museum for specialised talks on the history of dress, with specific focus on her own collection. Talks can be tailored to topic and duration, and we can also offer refreshments and light meals, which are served in the drawing room at Notty's picturesque home.
Shows
Notty has been presenting fashion shows for various groups and schools over the last thirty years, through which, she has also helped to raise thousands of pounds for charities. The shows which feature dress and accessories from her collection are a wonderful opportunity to see the fine examples one individual has passionately collected over the years, whilst enabling the audience to renew their appreciation for past craftsmanship and the splendor of historic fashion.
If you are interested in arranging an event of your own, contact Notty for more information at: nottyhornblower@aol.com or call 01335 310 318.
Please note: The Museum is not open every day, so if you are planning to visit, please do contact Notty prior to arrange.
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ABOUT
Notty Hornblower began accumulating her incredible collection of costume in her thirties, having had a fascination with history and clothes since a small girl, Notty attained her first pieces at a local antique shop. Notty recalls how, ‘the first piece of costume I bought was an early Victorian white cotton night dress costing £15 in the late 1970s.’ From here, her collection only grew, and after just three years Notty had assembled over a hundred costumes, not to mention a substantial amount of shoes and accessories. It was in 1997 that Notty renovated her stable block into suitable storage and her dream really began to manifest.
Owing to Notty’s sociable and warmhearted nature, she soon established a connection with likeminded others who began bestowing their historic costume upon her, knowing it would be cared for and appreciated, and enjoyed by others. Notty meticulously recorded every detail the benefactors knew as to the provenance of their items, and she has retained an incredible amount of this information by memory, evidence of the significant impression these items have on her.
Notty is still collecting costume and trading at antique fairs, she also values textiles at Hanson's Auctioneers.
