The outbreak of World War II saw the departure of the St.John family from Lydiard Park after over 500 years of occupation. The War Department considered the old mansion house ‘unfit for human habitation’ but some 80 acres of parkland were requisitioned to construct a US military base.
The museum collection at Lydiard House contains a fascinating selection of prints and drawings, including watercolours, many of which are rarely seen. If not on display they are safely conserved for posterity and used for research purposes as well as featuring in displays and exhibitions from time to time.
Wills can be both fascinating and frustrating, for what they say, what or who they miss out and what they may be hinting at! A collection of wills for a single community like Lydiard Tregoze provides information which is useful to local, family and social historians.
From historical remedies to wedding celebrations and wartime experiences, find a theme to explore.
Browse more themesThe Lydiard Archives are a unique digital collection of objects, records, reports and ephemera documenting the thousand-year history of Lydiard House and Park.
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The Lydiard Archives are managed by The Friends of Lydiard Park, an independent charity formed to protect, conserve and educate people about this beautiful historic estate with its Palladian house, ancient church, walled garden, and rolling parkland.
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