Fashion Museum - Blandford

Description:

Lime Tree House was opened to the public as a home for fashion in 1995. This beautiful Georgian house was built by John and William Bastard after the great fire of Blandford  in 1731 which destroyed large parts of the town.

The Museum is entirely managed by voluntary staff, who are always keen to show visitors the collection of costumes and accessories on display. There is always something to delight the eye of the visitor.

As well as annual exhibitions a resources room has been opened to give students the opportunity to research into costume and textiles.

The Museums collection dates from the 1730's to the 1970's and provides a unique history of fashion and accessories during those years, charting the changes in style and manufacture during that period.

An accessories room has been added in order to display a selection of interesting items. The current exhibition shows accessories grouped in decades. Each group comprises items from different sources, with the styles, characteristics and colour palletes of different periods very evident.

The Museum has a growing collection of hats, shoes and boots, fans, handbags, evening bags and reticules, umbrellas, parasols, gloves, jewellery, including a wonderful collection of Dorset buttons.

The Museum provides many facilities and much information on the history and origins of the exhibits.