News
This year’s summer excavation by the Norton Community Archaeology Group is coming to an end, so today the museum team went to see what they have found.
Archaeology Officer Keith gives the Museum Team the guided tour
Archaeological Officer Keith points out a pit
It is a very interesting site, which Keith really brings to life. I would encourage those of you who are able to go along to the Open Day tomorrow and have a look for yourself. If you can’t visit, Keith and other members of the Norton Group have been keeping a blog detailing the progress each day, and posting pictures of some of the finds.
The latest item for cleaning at Hitchin is this lovely old pub sign. This sign dates to between 1850 and 1898 and was the sign for Boot Inn in Bridge Street. It is made of two wooden planks or panels joined together and measures roughly 45 cms x 30 cms (18″ x 12″). The Boot Inn opened in around 1800 and was where local volunteers were billeted in 1803 during the Napoleonic Wars. The inn changed its name to the Royal Oak in 1898. Its provenance connects it to the Newton Family, who were prominent landowners in the Bridge Street/ Bucklersbury/Tilehouse Street area of Hitchin, as well as being heavily involved in the Fire Service. The family initials can be seen on a series of bricks behind the Kings Arms pub in Bucklersbury. here is some interesting research to be done on the connection (if any) between the Boot Inn and the Newtons.
(Historical Information taken from “A Walk Along Tilehouse Street and Bridge Street” by Hitchin Historical Society).
On Friday 13th September, at 10am, we are running a Behind the Scenes Tour for Heritage Open Day at Hitchin Museum. This is a great chance to see what museum staff are up to in the run up to the opening of the new North Hertfordshire Museum.
Places are limited, so to book please ring 01462 434476, or e-mail hitchin.museum@north-herts.gov.uk