Pickford House Museum

Pickford House Museum lives with human naturalness as it did years ago. The Brits really know how to create a museum. Enjoy my photos.

My favorite museum of all time...so far.

Why was this my favorite museum? Several reasons. Keep going to find out why.

One, I've always wanted to have houses of different periods as museums, not just to look at, but to live in.

Two, they were kind to me...you know that makes a BIG difference on one's opinion of a place. The two endearing old guys nicely offered to store my suitcase and bag while I looked around.

This Edwardian dress was being packed up to make room for new displays. It was fascinating to watch this careful procedure.

Three, there were two bathrooms, a 1930/s and an Edwardian...wonder of wonders, they were for public use. Had I known there was an Edwardian one upstairs, I'd have waited to use that one. I don't photograph many toilets, but this one was a must....decorated porcelain. The only other toilet I've photographed was a very dingy, dirty, broken hole it the floor toilet in a Chinese restaurant. My mother said, "Kari, take a picture." I don't think she thought anyone would believe it otherwise.

I loved this hands on project of being able to add to this rag rug...also a great idea for anyone to try at home.

Fourth, they let me take photos! That's a sure heart winning proposition for me.

Fifth, it was free.

Sixth, there were great displays.

Elizabeth Spencer, a curator of the museum in the process of carefully wrapping up an Edwardian dress in tissue paper, graciously smiled and let me take photos of her and the dress. No snooty uppity, uppity museum lady...but a friend, a normal person who could appreciate the fact that she loved her work and was glad someone appreciated it enough to take photos.

Seventh, it was squeaky clean.

Seeing her later, before leaving, she greeting once again with a smile and a cheerful, "Have a great holiday," I love REAL people. The world is too full of busy, disconnected robot-like humans only doing their duty and meeting their schedules.

Many super rooms, but the kitchen....ahhhh, the kitchen, really took my breath away. In the basement, long table, big hearth, lots of blue and white dishes...it made me want to sit down and chat with the cook and eat some homegrown vegetables.

What is this thing about basement kitchens anyway? (I'm super glad that I have one.)

The laundry room (one of my favorite rooms. ..it even inspired me to want to get my clothes starkly white and clean) smelled that amazingly clean smell of fresh lye soap, with old whites in a basket, big wooden buckets and no one peering over my shoulder...pure bliss and inspirational. I had the room to myself.

Crowning the glory out from under three brick arches was the manicured formal garden. Just perfect tucked away in between the tall walls and roofs. Enjoy the photos as I enjoyed seeing this place and taking them. (I know, I know...I got a little carried away taking photos..)

I couldn't find the Pickford House at first. On the corner of the street is an old up kept house. I thought this was the place and tried all the doors, even sat on the step to sort out the map. Apparently, a foot doctor owns this and keeps it authentic. It's for sale. I'd love to buy it.

I grew up watching WW II movies...my brother was really into WW II and he often won the "what shall we watch" battles. I've often wondered what one of the British bomb shelters looked like in person. Well, I finally got to see one preserved and stocked with storage and supplies. I could almost hear the sirens.

Now, doesn't that just make you want to chuck all modern conveniences and move into the Pickford House?

When in Derby, England in the British Midlands....Pickford House...put in on your "must see list."

PICKFORD'S HOUSE MUSEUM
41 Friar Gate
Derby, DE1 1DA
Phone: (01332) 255363


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