Jubilee!

Exhibition marking 70 years of the Queen’s reign

Our display this year exhibition focuses on Coronation and Jubilee memorabilia in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. See how Charlbury joined in the national celebrations and marked the Queen’s coronation in 1953. Travel back in time to the 1950s and see what life was like then how many shops thrived in the town when the queen came to the throne. We also take a look back at how the town marked other royal occasions in the last century including the coronations of George V in 1911 and George VI in 1937.

Permanent displays

Besides our special exhibition, we have displays about many other aspects of the town. Agriculture has always been an important part of the local economy. We have tools and other farming equipment on display, and of course our splendid Oxfordshire wagon, resplendent in its traditional colours of red and yellow. The town was well served by tradespeople, blacksmiths being in great demand as well as carpenters and wheelwrights and we have many examples of their tools. Also on display are goods and artefacts from the wide variety of shops (such as Allens drapery) which later drew in customers from surrounding villages.

West Oxfordshire was a centre of the gloving trade and we explore the history of the gloving factories that sprang up and the many outworkers who were employed around the town, with examples of the glove patterns and machines they used.

A large collection of old photographs of the town portrays people and events, buildings and the social life of the town as well as recording disasters and celebrations. Newspaper cuttings describe events and news from the town, and we can help with queries about local families drawing on the parish records and censuses.

Part of our gloving display

Fireman with helmet and axe

Allen's drapery

Our blacksmith's forge

Bicycle and memorabilia from WW2

Past Exhibitions & Events

2019	Wagons, Wood and Wheat A history of farms and farming in Charlbury
	Family History Day June 2019 A display of local archives, and help with family history queries
	Street Fair display September 2019 Display of photos of Charlbury in the 1950s & 60s alongside memories of past Street Fairs beginning in 1956
2018	Poachers & Pilferers, Gamekeepers and Glovers The story of Wychwood Forest, once one of the largest Royal Hunting Forests in the country
	A Walk on the Wild Side Special poetry event to link with the exhibitionThe Four Wordsmen (Ed Fenton, Adrian Lancini, John Lanyon,Rob Stepney) gave an outdoor reading of their poems inspired by the Wychwood Forest.
2017	Bonnets & Bloomers, Braces & Boots Allen’s Drapery Store, Church Street
	Sewing Bee July 2017 A weekend of creative crafts for adults & children inspired by Victorian and Edwardian textiles in the Allens exhibition
2016	Sport in Charlbury A look at the many sports that have flourished here over the years The work and life of Bessie Marchant, author, who lived for many years at Gothic House in Church Street
2015	The story of the British School, founded 1815
2014	First World War marking 100 years since the outbreak of war
2013	John Kibble (1865-1951) Charlbury stonemason
2012	Charlbury in the 1950s Marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee