Mills have played a huge role in our lives for hundreds of years, from the primitive mill stone to more recent hydroelectric turbines. It is interesting to see how much of an impact mills have had in all areas of our lives, not least their impact on language across the world. Whilst reading through many…
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Cleaning, folding and fixing – a conservation training day
A recent training day at the Archive, run by conservator Victoria Stevens, saw volunteers try out conservation techniques including cleaning, repairing and housing documents. The course was funded by our recent grant from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust. Everyone who attended found the day a rewarding and enjoyable experience. We asked one of our volunteers,…
Across the pond with Rex Wailes: Chicago to Minneapolis
Extracts from Rex Wailes’ 1929 diary of his trip to the USA and Canada. Part 23. 4. 6. 29. On Tuesday the 4th, I had tea with Miss Young at the E.S.U. This was my first introduction to cinnamon toast. Toast is made, buttered while warm after steam has come off and a mixture of…
Across the pond with Rex Wailes: A trip to the “Talkies”
Extracts from Rex Wailes’ 1929 diary of his trip to the USA and Canada. Part 22. 3.6.29 On Monday evening I went to the Youngs. They had an “apartment” – we call them flats – in a huge apartment building facing the lake just S. of Lincoln Park. The family consists of Mr. & Mrs. Young,…
Across the pond with Rex Wailes: Chicago
Extracts from Rex Wailes’ 1929 diary of his trip to the USA and Canada. Part 21. 30.5.29 I left Pittsburgh by the 11.22 p.m. (summer time) sleeping car, and arrived at Chicago at 8.55 a.m., gaining an extra hour in bed en route, as the result of the change from eastern to central time. The…
Across the pond with Rex Wailes: To Pittsburgh
Extracts from Rex Wailes’ 1929 diary of his trip to the USA and Canada. Part 20. Observation platorm of a train on the Great Northern Railway, USA 27.5.29. On Monday the 27th. I took “The Metropolitan” leaving Philadelphia for Pittsburgh at 11.25 a.m. I sat in the parlour car, but the view through gauze was…
Volunteer Spotlight: Forged French Assignats Part II: Britain’s and Charles X’s Roles
You may remember from a previous blog post the story of Albury Park Paper Mill, Guildford, Surrey and forged French assignats (a form of paper currency issued by the French Republic from 1789-1797). A recent discovery of an article in The Quarterly (the Journal of British paper historians, 106, April 2018) has provided us with an update…
Across the pond with Rex Wailes: Sunday in Philadelphia
Extracts from Rex Wailes’ 1929 diary of his trip to the USA and Canada. Part 19. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church 26.5.29 On Sunday the 26th. I went out to Dr. Oberholtzer’s house by the 9.30 a. m. train. He met me at the station in a very old car full of rattles and shakes, which…
Gems of the Archive: Milling Miscreants
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘an honest miller has hairy palms’? Or perhaps the old expression ‘safe as a thief in a mill’? Or maybe you’ve read The Miller’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, and are familiar with the less-than-trustworthy character of the miller who was not only “a quarrelsome swaggerer”, “arrogant” and “sly”, but…
Across the pond with Rex Wailes: Philadelphia
Extracts from Rex Wailes’ 1929 diary of his trip to the USA and Canada. Part 18. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia, under construction 23.5.29 I left Mr. & Mrs. McClelland and New York very regretfully, and hope I shall get there again one day. As a city, I like the little I saw of it. The…