Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life

Discover the history of Thetford. Housed in a Tudor merchants' house. Email: [email protected] Telephone: [phone]

[The History Press @TheHistoryPress]

#OnThisDay in 1867, due to a loophole in the law, Lily Maxwell is the first woman to vote in a British parliamentary election.🗳️🚺 Learn more: https://t.co/gm6qjMSlbr #OTD #VotesforWomen #WomensHistory

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1780 Maharajah Ranjit Singh was born.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#RemembranceDay This large bronze plaque is in memory of Frederick Ernest Crick of Thetford who died in the First World War. It reads 'He died for Freedom and Honour'. These memorial plaques were known as a 'Dead Man's Penny'. 1,355,000 plaques were issued.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

Herbert Osborne worked for Bidwell and Co. brewers, He was conscripted in 1916. He was 36. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery. Soldiers weren't allowed to keep diaries but Herbert wrote one. #OnThisDay in 1918 he recorded “Peace taken very quiet. Nothing doing”

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

Edward VII was born at Buckingham Palace #OnThisDay in 1841 at 10:48am. He was the eldest son and second child of #QueenVictoria & Prince Albert. This is an engraving of him by S W Reynolds from a painting by Frederick Tayler.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

It's Children's Book Week.
This cloth bound edition of Little Women was awarded to Evelyn Cooper, Thetford Infants School, December 1913.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1806 Miss Elizabeth Bidwell of Thetford, arrived at Harwich. “She was tutoress to the King of Prussia’s children, and had a narrow escape of falling into the hands of the French, and when she landed was destitute of money and change of raiment.”

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1927 Princess Bamba was fined £1 for creating an obstruction with her car outside @JarroldNorwich in London Street. She was visiting Jarrolds to discuss publishing a book.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1915 Harold Brighouse's play 'Hobson's Choice' was first performed. This is Thomas Hobson (1545–1631) who ran a stable in Cambridge offering customers Hobson's Choice, either taking the horse nearest to the door or taking none at all.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

This is a painting of Blo Norton Hall by Leonard R Squirrell who was born #OnThisDay in 1893. He was on the council of @RIwatercolours and @re_printmakers. He produced images for local commercial companies such as Fisons Fertilizers.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in this gift casket containing the Freedom of the Borough of Thetford was presented to Lord Horatio Nelson in recognition of 'His brilliant services to his country'.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

Happy #InternationalTeddyBearDay! This beaker is from the Thetford Pulpware Nursey Collection.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1871 Princess Catherine Duleep Singh was born at Elveden Hall. This portrait by @Inkquisitive reflects many of the extraordinary aspects of Princess Catherine's life.

[Queer Britain Museum @QueerBritain]

INTERSEX AWARENESS DAY 💛💜
On October 26, 1996, intersex activists and trans activists came together for the first-ever protest demanding the right to body autonomy. That’s why today we celebrate Intersex Awareness Day!
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Images From Queer Britain
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#intersexawarenessday

[The Japan Society @TheJapanSociety]

🌟 One week left to enter! 🌟 Design a poster to celebrate the return of sumo to the UK for the chance to win! 🙌 Open to children and young people aged 5 –18.
Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025. More details 👉 https://t.co/wKW3r0QiQZ

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

Today's @artukdotorg #OnlineArtExchange theme is autumn.
This is a landscape by H. Brooks (active 1816–1836).

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1877 the Morning Post reported: "His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh has entertained a shooting party at Elveden Hall, Suffolk, during the past week. Earl da Grey, Lord Walsingham, and Lord Huntingfield have been among his Highness's guests."

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1893 Maharajah Duleep Singh died in Paris at the age of 55. His body was buried in Elveden Church beside the grave of Maharani Bamba, and his son, Prince Edward Albert Duleep Singh. The then Prince of Wales sent a wreath reading 'For auld lang syne'.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

"The Nelson jug", a creamware jug with a picture of Nelson on board ship from about 1800. The donors said 'my great grandmother used this to keep soda in'.

[Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life @AncientHouseMus]

#OnThisDay in 1805 the Battle of Trafalgar took place.
Norfolk-born Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson had command of the Royal Navy.
Here are some Nelson related items in our collection:
A miniature portrait of Lord Nelson (1758-1805) by unknown artist, from about .1800.