Visitors to Scaplen’s Court in Poole will be transported back to the 17th century as part of a special Civil War Day.
Personalities from Poole’s Civil War past will once again be inhabiting the rooms of this atmospheric 15th century building, located opposite Poole Museum. Visitors will meet a variety of characters in fully authentic historic dress, from cooks to soldiers to pamphleteers drumming up support for the Parliamentarian cause.
Scaplen’s Court Herb Garden, which is largely maintained through the invaluable help of volunteers, will also be open for the event.
Scaplen’s Court, which was known at that time as the ‘George Inn’, is thought to have been occupied by Parliamentarian troops during the English Civil War. They left many initials and dates from that period which can still be seen on the old stone fireplaces.
Scaplen’s Court was built in the 15th century, and has been a merchant’s house, an inn for travellers, a furniture workshop, a Victorian slum, and latterly a museum and education centre. The garden was laid out as a Tudor herb and physic garden by the renowned garden architect, George Dilliston of Tunbridge Wells.
The Civil War Day is an event to celebrate Poole Museum’s latest exhibition, The Swash Channel Wreck: Poole’s mystery wreck decoded. The Swash Channel Wreck was a heavily armed merchant ship which is thought to have wrecked just outside Poole Harbour, around 1630. The Swash Channel Wreck was recently the subject of the largest underwater excavation since the Mary Rose. The exhibition runs until Spring 2015. The exhibition has been generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with donations from the Poole Maritime Trust and Jenkins Marine Ltd.
Cllr Xena Dion, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Learning, Borough of Poole, said: “Scaplen’s Court is a fascinating building which is a real asset to Poole. This free event throws light on an important period of Poole’s history and is a great opportunity to find out more about everyday life in the 17th Century.”
Civil War Day will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 20 September. Entry is free. Please note that access to the upper floor is via a staircase and there are some uneven floors. At busy times there might be a short wait for entry.
For more information about the event, contact Poole Museum on 01202 262600, or email museums@poole.gov.uk.
