Maidstone branch welcomed back Samantha (Sam) Harris the Collections Manager at Maidstone Museum to give a talk and display about the Maidstone Carriage Museum.
The carriage museum has been described as the best in Europe and has 60 vehicles, including some on loan from the Royal Collection and the only surviving curricle in the world. The museum was started by Gerard Tyrwhitt-Drake who was knighted in 1936 and High Sheriff of Kent. He saw the need to preserve the carriages and the museum. Its first visitor being the then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
We were treated to a description of some of the shortfalls with the vehicles, one which had a stick for a break. There are a couple of items on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum including a park vehicle from the 18th century. Sam went on to tell us about the maintenance of the carriages. In the early 20th century, there was a transition from the coach to motor vehicles.
If you haven't been, this museum is well worth a visit and is free to enter so check on the Maidstone Museum website for the opening times.