Burghley House Tea Ware BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Burghley House Tea Ware Tourism is not a modern phenomenon and neither is the collecting of holiday knickknacks. Guide books printed in 1797 and 1815 to Burghley House and subsequent guides have been on sale to this day. Victorian china tea ware fairings were produced with images of Burghley House, mostly by German manufacturers, of a poor standard and for show only! These items date from between 1891 and 1914. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

J Brumhead - Silver Watch BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL John Brumhead – Silver Pocket Watch The silver case was hall marked in London in 1809, so dates from the time of John Brumhead senior. Inside the case are two local repair labels, one from M. Goltman, Watch and Clock Maker, High Street, and another from J. Hicks, Watch and Clock Maker, Ironmonger Street. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Unearth the story of Stamford’s makers, mills, and machines — the ingenuity that powered a working town. Industry & Engineering Unearth the story of Stamford’s makers, mills, and machines — the ingenuity that powered a working town. Wagon Wheel Nut

Explore Stamford’s 19th-century life — a period of growth, Georgian elegance, and changing local traditions. 19th CENTURY Explore Stamford’s 19th-century life — a period of growth, Georgian elegance, and changing local traditions. Wilson Watchmaking Family Willcocks Kitchen Range J Brumhead - Silver Watch Tradesmen's Tokens Daniel Lambert Burghley House Tea Ware Barrel Ring & Opener Wagon Wheel Nut Blackstone Tractor Seat Hayes & Son Milk Cart Pick & Company Jeffery & Blackstone John Brumhead Blackstone Engine Plate Parish & Sons - Tie Press The Portico c1860

Explore Museum — a digital archive preserving Stamford’s history through artefacts, articles, and records. Discover the town’s heritage across centuries, from industry and trade to wartime stories and everyday life. WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM Welcome to the Museum — a growing digital archive celebrating Stamford’s remarkable past. Here you’ll find stories, artefacts, and records spanning centuries of local life. From industry and wartime resilience to everyday shops and trades, the database brings together history, heritage, and human experience that shaped the town we know today. 19th Century Shops & Shopping 20th Century Breweries & Merchants Industry & Engineering WW1 & WW2

Trace the heritage of Stamford’s vintners and brewers, whose cellars once stocked the town’s most refined tastes. Breweries & Merchants Trace the heritage of Stamford’s vintners and brewers, whose cellars once stocked the town’s most refined tastes. Barrel Ring & Opener

Discover the social, cultural, and architectural shifts that shaped Stamford through a century of progress and challenge. 20th CENTURY Discover the social, cultural, and architectural shifts that shaped Stamford through a century of progress and challenge. 1902 Stamford Medal Blackstone Tractor Seat Pick & Company World War Two Casket Blackstone Engine Plate Stamford Victory Mug Burghley Button Willcocks Kitchen Range J Claypole & Son Burghley House Tea Ware Wagon Wheel Nut

Remember Stamford at war — its people, regiments, and the local stories behind global conflict and resilience. WW1 & WW2 Remember Stamford at war — its people, regiments, and the local stories behind global conflict and resilience. Burghley Button WW1 Death Penny Stamford Victory Mug World War Two Casket Wagon Wheel Nut

Step into Stamford’s shopfront past — bustling markets, family-run stores, and the evolving rhythm of local trade. Shops & Shopping Step into Stamford’s shopfront past — bustling markets, family-run stores, and the evolving rhythm of local trade. Bungay Halfpenny Token Stamford Half Penny Tradesmen's Tokens Hayes & Son Milk Cart J Claypole & Son Parish & Sons - Tie Press

Stamford Local History Society's depository for small articles, notes, titbits and other miscellanea of local interest. SNIPPETS Browse our library of published historical snippets linked with Stamford and the surrounding area. The End of Bull Running in Stamford Chronology of Stamford by George Burton 1846 Transcribed by Ronnie Teasdale 7 August 2026 Read Snippet Weather in Stamford Weather conditions in times past Submitted by Ronnie Teasdale 24 July 2026 Read Snippet RAF Sites Around Stamford - Part 2 Stamford in the Second World War Stamford Local History Society 25 June 2026 Read Snippet Stamford Primitive Methodist Chapel Another religious location in the town Stamford Mercury 7th November 1862 25 June 2026 Read Snippet RAF Sites Around Stamford - Part 1 Stamford in the Second World War Stamford Local History Society 27 May 2026 Read Snippet Silk Mills, Stamford - Advert to Parish Officers Drakard's Stamford News 29th Nov 1822 Submitted by Chris Hunt 30 April 2026 Read Snippet Adam Horsley - Rector of St John the Baptist. A 14th Century Cleric. Adam Horsley was a King’s Clerk, an exchequer clerk, and a controller of the great pipe roll from 1375 to 1382. Chris Hunt 24 April 2026 Read Snippet A novel match - World War One munition girls play football 1917 A novel match - World War One munition girls play football 1917 Submitted by Chris Hunt 27 February 2026 Read Snippet Obituary and Records - November 15 1801 Stamford Bull Running Submitted by Ronnie Teasdale 31 January 2026 Read Snippet Obituary and Records - July 1810 Eccentric people Submitted by Ronnie Teasdale 31 January 2026 Read Snippet Andy Capp Born Near Stamford in 1956 Daily Mirror Cartoon Character Chris Hunt 9 January 2026 Read Snippet Boat Commercial Inn, Stamford - A Poem from 1865 The Boat & Railway Public House Submitted by Chris Hunt 9 January 2026 Read Snippet Public Air Raid Shelters Stamford in the Second World War Stamford Local History Society 30 November 2025 Read Snippet The 1942 Drift Estate Blitz Stamford in the Second World War Stamford Local History Society 29 November 2025 Read Snippet Licence to Construct Buildings in the Churchyard for the use of the Rector of St George's Church, Stamford in 1295 St George's Church, Stamford in 1295 Submitted by Chris Hunt 31 October 2025 Read Snippet Polish Troops in the Stamford Area Stamford in the Second World War Stamford Local History Society 31 October 2025 Read Snippet Lulu and the Luvvers play the Lansbury Club in Stamford in 1964 Lansbury Club, later called the Newage Club Chris Hunt 30 September 2025 Read Snippet W H Smith & Sons opens Book & Newspaper stall at Stamford Midland Railway Station Stamford Railway Stations Stamford Mercury (Friday) August 28th 1885 14 September 2025 Read Snippet Fire at the Star Tea Company Shop on the High Street in 1904 Stamford Mercury 18th November 1904 21 August 2025 Read Snippet The Luftwaffe comes to Stamford Stamford in the Second World War Unknown 27 July 2025 Read Snippet Black Sabbath Plays Baston 1970 Marquee Barbecue and Dance Sleaford Standard 10th July 1970 24 July 2025 Read Snippet The Night of the Coventry Blitz - 1940 Memories of the Blitz Eric Hunt 28 June 2025 Read Snippet Roasted Grain Advert – Better Than Coffee - Sold in Stamford 1822 John Drakard is best known as the editor of Drakard’s Stamford News Drakard's Stamford News 20th September 1822 28 June 2025 Read Snippet Silk Mills, Stamford - Advert to Parish Officers Mr Gouger was advertising for young female staff in both Drakard’s Stamford News Drakard's Stamford News - 29th November 1822 28 June 2025 Read Snippet Fear of invasion at Stamford Grammar School after Dunkirk Evacuation after Dunkirk The Stamfordian Vol 11. No 3. 31 May 2025 Read Snippet The day World War Two was declared - September 3rd 1939 Recollections Recollection from 1939 31 May 2025 Read Snippet Stamford in the Second World War - 1940: Pillboxes Defenses against the threat of German invasion Mike Sockett 31 May 2025 Read Snippet Barton Transport Limited Concrete Bus Stop Post Survivor Concrete bus stops Chris Hunt 28 April 2025 Read Snippet Anti-Printing Poem by an Unknown Hand, Published in 1820 The Banished Printer to His Trade – A Parody Submitted by Chris Hunt 28 April 2025 Read Snippet Stamford Improvement Commission Meeting. Foul Smells in Stamford 1854 Stamford Mercury 1854 Submitted by Chris Hunt 29 March 2025 Read Snippet Stamford Mid-lent Fair in the past. Stamford Mercury Early Reports Submitted by Keith Hansell 29 March 2025 Read Snippet Royal Writs Addressed to John Buckingham Bishop of Lincoln 1373 Mandate to attend parliament Submitted by Chris Hunt 3 March 2025 Read Snippet Move of Police Station from Stamford Town Hall to the Portico Stamford Mercury 1890 Submitted by Chris Hunt 3 March 2025 Read Snippet Stamford Races 1849 - Admission Ticket to the Red Stand on Thursday July 19th 1849 Stamford Racecourse on Wittering Heath Submitted by Chris Hunt 3 March 2025 Read Snippet Poem 1806 An Amusing Apology from a Lincolnshire Newspaper 1806 Submitted By Chris Hunt 3 March 2025 Read Snippet New Landlord and Refurbishment at the George Inn 1725 Stamford Mercury 1725 Submitted by Chris Hunt 3 March 2025 Read Snippet New Footbridge over the River Welland 1863 Stamford Mercury 1863 Submitted by Chris Hunt 3 March 2025 Read Snippet The Vestry Books and Registers of St.John's Parish, Stamford Source - The Rutland Magazine Submitted By Chris Hunt 4 February 2025 Read Snippet Peterborough GNR Loco v Stamford Rutland Ironworks November 9th 1895 Football Match Commentary Chris Hunt 3 February 2025 Read Snippet A Christmas Card from the 46th North Midland Division Christmas Card Submitted By Chris Hunt 3 February 2025 Read Snippet Essendine to Ryhall Single Railway Ticket L.N.E.R Ticket Submitted by Chris Hunt 3 February 2025 Read Snippet Carmen Nuptiale On the Marriage of Lord and Lady Burghley, September 7th 1875 Undated Newspaper Cutting Submitted By Chris Hunt 3 February 2025 Read Snippet Early History of a Mormon Community in Stamford Mormons in Stamford Submitted by Chris Hunt 6 January 2025 Read Snippet Water Supply Issues in Stamford (Washing Clothes and Making Beer) 1550. Stamford Mercury 1873 Submitted by Chris Hunt 6 January 2025 Read Snippet Regulations For Brewers in Fetching Water in 1666 Stamford Mercury 1873 By Chris Hunt 6 January 2025 Read Snippet Royal Air Force Wittering Christmas Menu 1942 RAF Submitted by Chris Hunt 6 January 2025 Read Snippet Saracen’s Head in Stamford Another Lost Inn in Stamford Alan Rogers 6 January 2025 Read Snippet Catholic Chapel in Stamford 1851 - Parish of All Saints. Published by the Lincoln Record Society Submitted by Chris Hunt 6 January 2025 Read Snippet St John's Parish Stamford Owning Land in Ufford 1860 Stamford Mercury 1860 Chris Hunt 16 December 2024 Read Snippet The Incumbents of the Stamford Churches c.1886 The Incumbents of the Stamford Churches c.1886 Chris Hunt 16 December 2024 Read Snippet

< Back The Stamford Institution John S Hartley 2018 THE STAMFORD INSTITUTION – the “Graeco-Egyptian” building on the north side of St Peter’s Hill. Foremost among the cultural societies in Stamford in the mid-nineteenth century was the Literary and Scientific Institution, which had been founded in 1838. By 1850 the first general enthusiasm had worn off, and in 1851 its Annual Report was critical of the absence of the local clergy ‘who from their mental cultivation and general pursuits were eminently qualified in this way to convey information and sound instruction to the members.‘ Lectures were poorly attended, people preferring, so the President stated, ‘slackness of attendance at Lectures from which valuable information might have been obtained; whilst such frivolous exhibitions as those of “Bloomers” and conjurors were crowded.’ There were problems, however, for ‘no lecturers had offered themselves during the past year, a circumstance to be attributed ‘ the President believed, ’to the disturbance of the ordinary current of events by the Great Exhibition.’ During the nineteenth century membership fluctuated considerably; in 1851 there were 136 members but by 1856 there were some 316 paid up members, a most impressive number for such a relatively small country town. However, some saw the Institution as a force for the education of the ‘lower classes’ and there were too few, so it was thought, of such people who were members. A Mr. Chapman reflected, in 1853, upon the fact that it was regrettable that although shops closed early, few assistants used their spare time wisely. ‘They had not joined reading societies, and he feared they had imbibed (sic) habits which severely taxed their resources, and in the pursuit of pastime which was neither conducive to their health nor mental improvement.’ Attempts were made to provide lectures which were educational and which covered a very wide range of topics. In 1854 a writer in the Annual Report observed that it was ‘easier to train the juvenile taste than to correct old habits – to mould the infant mind than to change the adult idiosyncracy.’ A series of lectures on Human Physiology had a total of over 2000 attendances, while other single lectures in the same year, 1854, included subjects like the Uses of Poetry, the Circulation of the Blood, the Origins and Uses of Coal, and Sanitary Science. On the lighter side there was a lecture on Popular Illusions, while in the following year the best attended lectures were probably those by George Grossmith author (with his brother Weedon) of The Diary of a Nobody, who spoke on Lecturing, and Wit and Humour. He was a regular visitor to the Institution, and his lectures were generally very popular indeed though the most at any one meeting in the 1850’s and 1860’s seems to have been when 319 attended a lecture on Microscopical Science. On occasion, lectures had a relevance to the town and its immediate problems. When the local Medical Officer of Health spoke to members in 1868 he chose as his subject Drainage and the Water Supply of Towns, and this was later published by the printer to the Institution, John Ford of Red Lion Square. Newman’s theme was the unsanitary nature of the cesspits and pools which were scattered all over the town. He proposed the use of earth closets, and the closure of all open wells. Water, he argued, should be supplied to all the town from the springs to the north-east and east of the town. Two years later Newman’s summary of the state of the town and his plans for improvement were echoed in an official report. As well as providing series of lectures, the Institution had a substantial library, containing over 6000 volumes in 1862, from which members might borrow. At first there were limitations on borrowing since it was felt that quarterly members (generally of the ‘lower classes‘), who paid a considerably lower subscription than annual members, might damage the books they borrowed! [see the 1845 letter to the Mercury at the end of this article]. This fear seems to have been overcome, perhaps through a pair of lectures in 1855, entitled What is a Gentleman? and The Elevation of the Working Classes. Newspapers were taken in the Reading Room, and there was also a sizeable museum, though this appears to have been mainly a casual collection of items. Members, like Samuel Sharp, printer and publisher, and no mean geologist, may well have ensured that some parts of the collections were satisfactorily arranged. For a time there was a flourishing Chess Club. The finances of the Institution were never very secure - far too much reliance seems to have been placed on meeting any extra-ordinary expenses out of profits from special events and the shareholders, who had helped to build the magnificent headquarters on St. Peter’s Hill in 1842, had frequently to go without any dividends at all. Most years a ball was held to raise money, and in 1855 a ‘Panorama of the Seat of War in the Crimea’ was exhibited at the Mid-Lent Fair, partly for the benefit of the funds of the Institution. One source of income which was both uncertain and insubstantial was the Camera Obscura on the roof of the building. There were several attempts to encourage people to take advantage of it, but it made little money and was removed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. In spite of all its failings, the Stamford Literary and Scientific Institution played an important part in the life of mid-Victorian Stamford. With its lectures, library and museum under the same roof it provided something which no other single organisation provided in Stamford. The Institution survived until 1910 when all its effects were sold; the library and museum, both containing important items relating to Stamford, were scattered. From sale catalogues it is possible to gain some idea of the value and content of its collections, and it must be a cause of great regret that they were not preserved intact. Part of the reason for the closing of the Institution is probably to be found in the lack of regular support from the most influential members of’ the town establishment, but the opening of the Town Library in 1906 must have further undermined the already shaky, financial position of the Institution. Notes Sources for a History of the Stamford Literary and Scientific Institution. This article has been based on the annual reports and minute books, to be found in the Phillips Collection Room in the Town Hall. Further information about meetings, the closure etc. will be found in the local papers. Many handbills and notices survive in various collections. John S. Hartley To the EDITOR of the MERCURY. Sir,-By a droll coincidence, I find in one column of your last week's paper the letter of Juvenis, complaining that the quarterly members of the Stamford Institution are dissatisfied at not being allowed to take books out of the library; and in another column, that even villages are applying to be admitted as branches to, and to be supplied with books from, the Lincoln Institution. This is indeed a queer contrast; and it is not to be wondered at that members should be seceding from our Stamford Institution and (as stated in your paper two or three weeks ago, from their report) that at Lincoln the number of quarterly members is constantly increasing, and that the Committee are thereby enabled to expend liberal sums in the purchase of new books. We read that in the early days after the Reformation, when copies of the scriptures were few, bibles were affixed in churches, but chained so as not to be carried away; now, our religious societies are circulating the scriptures in the prisons and the abodes of poverty at home, and among the heathen abroad. At Stamford, as "Juvenis" justly complains, he cannot take home with him such excellent works as the "Bridgwater Treatises," because forsooth bound volumes are sealed books to mere quarterly subscribers; whilst in the more fortunate vicinity of Lincoln, not only available are those works containing the writings of Sir Charles Bell, Dr. Buckland, Prout, Roget Chalmers, and the plebeian quarterlies (and even to the juveniles who may choose to read them), but such books are, it seems, likely to be sent forth to enlighten abroad, and to be at the service of the reading public in the villages. Do, Mr. Editor, urge upon certain members of the Committee the necessity of a journey to Lincoln. Stamford, Dec.30, 1845.Your's &c.,SENSEX. A print version can be downloaded HERE Other articles about Stamford Institution: The formation and first home of the Stamford Institution (1838-1842) John Flowers Bentley (1810-1884): Stamford Polymath Previous Next

< Back Essendine to Ryhall Single Railway Ticket Dated March 28th 1959 Submitted by Chris Hunt. Right up to the closure of the Stamford to Essendine Railway line in 1959 the station at Essendine was still using pre Nationalisation tickets, in this example a pre-war L.N.E.R. ticket. A printed version can be downloaded HERE Previous Next