#FridayFrocks – Here is another piece featuring #Flounces, or maybe #Frills. This pretty summer day dress dates to c.1868. The flounces are printed with a lace pattern – a clever touch, which gives the illusion of more costly lace.

#ThrowbackThursday The Glanty #Egham 1894 Nov 1894 Thames Valley experienced some of worst flooding in history. In 3 weeks before 17/11 peak 20cm+ rain fell - equivalent to 4 mths rain. The Great Flood, as it became known, was so spectacular & widespread that it became measure for all future floods.

#FridayFrocks #Flounces. To brighten up your January - a beautiful silk damask sack back gown and matching petticoat. The petticoat features a deep flounce at the front. The flounce does not continue around the back of the petticoat, where it would not have been seen.

#ThrowbackThursday Flemish Fields Chertsey 1965 After 1672 Massacre of St. Bartholomew, France & again in 1685 Huguenots fled to England. In #Chertsey they built cottages on strip of land behind Drill Hall Rd which became known as Flemish Fields. They were demolished late 1970s but rd bears the name

#FridayFrocks – For the next few posts we will be focusing on examples of #Flounces. We start with a lovely example of a cotton gown from c.1845 – 1850. Queen Victoria was known to have favoured this fashion for flounced skirts, which added width without excessive weight.

#FridayFrocks #SparkleAndShine: State gown once worn by HM Queen Mary. This was one of a number of similar gowns she owned, incorporating Indian brocades beautifully embellished with sumptuous beadwork and lace.

#ThrowbackThursday – Christmas presents at Princess Mary’s Village Home, #Addlestone 1928. For more information about this institution see our online exhibition buff.ly/3vnHOmL

#FridayFrocks #SparkleAndShine: Evening jacket, silk velvet, 1930s, by Mariano #Fortuny. The decoration of tendrils and leaves is stencilled in a metallic gold pigment which had been formulated specially by the designer to resist flaking and breaking.

#FridayFrocks #SparkleAndShine – A silver lamé jacket, c.1925 – 30, trimmed with marabou feathers. Though seen in eveningwear, lamé also found its way into bridalwear, as seen in this 1920s silver lamé wedding dress.

#ThrowbackThursday "Tin Church", Weybridge Rd #Addlestone 1900 Consecrated Feb 1891. Seated 250 people but became too cramped so new brick church built in 1939 next to the school in Albert Road. The site of the tin church is now used by the Church of Latter Day Saints. #LocalHistory #TBT

#FridayFrocks – #SparkleAndShine. This is a typically romantic silk tulle gown of the late 1930s. Black and white Hollywood films added glamour and interest by using glittery, shiny fabrics. These made their way into actual wardrobes as people mimicked their silver screen idols.

#ThrowbackThursday #Egham High St c. 1910 earliest ref Catherine Wheel pub on corner of High St & Hummer Rd in 1529. C18/19 was a coaching inn & 1898 reopened after a refurb. It continued until 1992, when the building remained empty for a while before finally being demolished in May 1996

#FridayFrocks #Underwear - #Corset, c.1885–95 by Y&N, made from cotton sateen with boning channels picked out in cream. In ads Y&N highlighted the comfort of their diagonal seam design. This approach was their response to a market that was beginning to understand the dangers of tight-lacing.

#ThrowbackThursday - London St #Chertsey 1900 Recognisable is the Old Town Hall, where, 60 years ago today Chertsey Museum opened its doors for the first time! In 1972 we moved from Old Town Hall into our current home & the rest, as they say, is history! Happy 60th birthday to us!

#FridayFrocks – Continuing with #Underwear, From the mid-1850s to the late 1860s, crinoline cages were widely adopted. This example is narrow in circumference, as it dates from the later 1860s when the fashionable silhouette changed.

#ThrowbackThursday post office, 64 St Jude’s Rd Englefield Green c.1934 This was the third location for Englefield Green’s post office. 1st operating Middle Hill By 1886 it was at 2 St. Jude’s Rd near Holly Tree public house before moving up the rd in 1901. Site redeveloped as Park House early 1980s

#FridayFrocks – For the next few weeks we will be focusing on some important items from our #Underwear collection. This pair of half-boned stays, c.1785 – 1788 is made from brown cotton and lined with linen, they are boned with whalebone.

#ThrowbackThursday Ottershaw C of E School 1909. 1869 Sir Edward Colebrook donated land on Guildford Rd for a school & money raised to build it. Opened 1870 & 1967 moved Fletcher Close. Old building used as a special-needs school until 1985 when land developed & now known as Colebrooke Place.

#FridayFrocks – This Sunday is the 240th wedding anniversary of Miss Jane Bailey and James Wickham Esq. They married in 1780. Our current fashion exhibition #MarriageALaMode includes Jane’s wedding outfit! Free and open until 5.09.2026.

#ThrowbackThursday - Animal Health & Vet Labs New Haw 1957. AHVLA est. 1894 in Whitehall to deal with an swine flu epidemic. Moved to Woodham Lane, 1917. 10/2014 merged with FERA & renamed Animal & Plant Health Agency, part of DEFRA. Staff carry out animal disease surveillance & diagnosis #TBT

#FridayFrocks – Since this year Friday Frocks falls on #Halloween, we thought we’d post one of our spookier garments. This black silk crêpe teagown dates to c.1895 – 1905 and would certainly have suited #MorticiaAddams!

#ThrowbackThursday - CJ Smith's 106-108 Guildford St #Chertsey 1970s In 1970s during building work C17 witch bottle unearthed at back of 108 which was White Hart Inn 1660s-1788. Inside found hair & heart-shaped piece of fabric with pins through it. Now on display #HappyHalloween #TBT #LocalHistory

#FridayFrocks - Evening gown by Jean Varon, c.1971 – 74, of #Green nylon chiffon, with rose-pink lining. Influential British designer John Bates (1935 - 2022), launched the Jean Varon label in 1960.

#ThrowbackThursday - Cold War bunker old Civic Offices #Addlestone 2009 Runnymede Borough Council had an underground bunker below their car park it consisted 2 small rooms, decontamination room & shower & escape hatch. Filled in when the office buildings were demolished in 2009. #TBT #LocalHistory

#FridayFrocks - coat, c.1939–48, by Keldore of #Green herringbone-woven wool. It has Bakelite buttons. Bright colours were a cost-effective way of adding interest to garments and boosting morale during and soon after World War 2.

Throwback Thursday – Woodlee Rehabilitation Centre, Egham, 1946 WW2 C19 mansion/estate was commandeered by Mechanisation Board of War Office before being used by Ministry of Labour & National Service. Became Egham Rehabilitation Centre, & for disabled men and women through to the 1990s #LocalHistory

#FridayFrocks – #Green printed cotton dress, c.1860. The colour comes from a man-made dye. The skirt would have been supported by a crinoline cage.

#ThrowbackThursday - the White Hart public house, #NewHaw, c1890 The White Hart pub has been in existence since the late 18th century when it was built to serve the bargemen working on the Wey Navigation. It was rebuilt in the 1860s so that it faced the road rather than the canal. #TBT #LocalHistory

#FridayFrocks – Continuing our #Green theme with a Theatre Coat, c.1912, attributed to Paul #Poiret. Seen in our exhibition ‘Celebrating Stitchcraft’, which closes Saturday 1st November. This showcases the work of talented embroidery artist Darren Ball.

#ThrowbackThursday - Bridge Rd #Chertsey c.1907 Jolly Waggoner operated between 1837 and 1907. Next door was Vine Inn. Built in the early C18th previously called Lion & Lamb, then the Lamb from 1769. 1839-1850 it was boarding school, becoming Vine Inn c.1851. The pub closed its doors in 2009. #TBT

#FridayFrocks - Here we have a striking pink and #green shot silk taffeta evening gown by Jean-Louis Scherrer, c.1985. The enormous sleeves are constructed from stiff net and decorated with petals of pink and green silk organza.

#ThrowbackThursday - Penton Hook, #Chertsey, 1909 When Penton Hook Lock completed in 1815 was furthest lock, upstream, controlled by the City of London Corporation. The weir was built later, in 1846, below the point where the Thames loops and flows into the Abbey River. #LocalHistory #TBT

#FridayFrocks – For the next few posts, we are going to concentrate on #Green items: green silk brocade shoes, c.1730. Pattens were often paired with shoes. They protected from dust and dirt.

#ThrowbackThursday – the junction of Brighton Road and Station Road, #Addlestone, c.1970 #TBT #LocalHistory

Today is the funeral of HRH Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Born 1933 she was Gt Granddaughter of Sir John Tomlinson Brunner of Silverlands #Chertsey. Brunner lived there 1910-19 & had these photos taken after refurb of mansion #LocalHistory

#FridayFrocks - Our brand-new fashion exhibition, entitled ‘Marriage à la Mode’, is now open! See wedding dresses from the 1780s to 1980s, including this lovely gown, c.1843 – 48. Ends 5.09.26 #MarriageALaMode #WeddingDresses #Bridalwear

Our 350th #ThrowbackThursday - Chertsey Bridge in 1918. Built by James Paine at a cost of £7,325. it was opened in 1785 and replaced a wooden bridge which had (with much repair) stood since 1300 #LocalHistory #TBT

#FridayFrocks - Known as a ‘Ziggy Stardust’ dress, and designed by Ossie Clark, c.1973, it is made from bias cut silk #Chiffon. The print is by textile designer and wife of Ossie Clark, Celia Birtwell.

#ThrowbackThursday -High St Egham c. 1910 In 1910 Mr Powell opened his “Electric Theatre” 166 High St & called it The Gem. In 1921 the Bohemia opened at 153 1921 & screened new “talkies” by 1928. Gem closed soon after but Bohemia changed name to Savoy & continued until 1950s. #LocalHistory #TBT

#FridayFrocks - Summer afternoon ensemble, c.1928: a dress and matching yoked cape with long streamers of silk #Chiffon. Note how the dressmaker has skilfully trimmed the chiffon around the pattern at the skirt hem.

#ThrowbackThursday - The Cricketers pub, Chertsey Bridge. Early C18 traded as Walnut Tree with sign depicting cricketers beneath a walnut tree., painted in lieu of a bar bill! Rebuilt 1880, closed 1990 & demolished, to be replaced by Melita House, an office building. #LocalHistory #TBT

#FridayFrocks - #Chiffon and lace wedding dress, c.1916, trimmed with imitation orange blossom. A popular flower for brides, it symbolises eternal love, purity and fertility.

Throwback Thursday - St. Jude's Rd, Englefield Green, c.1906. Herbert Weller's General House & Furnishings' Shop & Showroom occupied Nos. 31 & 32 St Jude's Road between 1904 & 1908. He also owned a shop in Egham High Street, & was Chairman of Egham Urban District Council in 1906. #TBT #LocalHistory

#FridayFrocks – Today we’re celebrating the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and focusing on the 1940s. This evening gown was produced in 1946. It is made from ‘parachute silk’ - actually a nylon fabric, which was readily available off-ration soon after the war ended. #VJ80

Throwback Thursday - Dunford (or Durnford) Bridge, Ottershaw, c.1905-1915. A wood bridge over Bourne here from mid C16. 1897 Local Highways Committee recommended a new brick bridge which rebuilt again in 1957 when the road was widened. #LocalHistory #TBT

#FridayFrocks – Spotted nylon #Chiffon has been used in this summer day dress, c.1960. The acetate lining has also been printed with black spots which overlap with those on the chiffon creating an interesting, blurred effect.

Throwback Thursday – F. Udall Household Stores, Bridge Road, Chertsey c.1930 Frederick Udall ran shop behind The Vine PH 1911-1934. The Vine was called The Lamb C18 and 1839-1851 was a boarding school. The Vine closed in 2009 and has since been converted into private dwellings.

#FridayFrocks #Chiffon – c.1953 – 57, and made from the palest pink silk chiffon, this softly draped couture gown by Lanvin-Castillo is a beautifully elegant, feminine garment.

#ThrowbackThursday Longcross Post Office 1930s 1848 Laurel Cottage, Kitsmead Lane, became Longcross sub-post office let to John Batchelor who ran post office, telegraph office & village shop. By time of photo taken Miss Flora Batchelor been running the post office for a decade. It closed 8/12/1973.

#FridayFrocks: #Cotton organza day dress, c.1868. It is edged with white cotton frills, cleverly printed with a lace pattern. From a distance this resembles real lace and was an economical way of achieving a fashionable lacy effect.