Blog

Stafford Pottery

Between the 1820s and early 1900s, Stafford Pottery in Stockton created high quality ceramic wares. But their business practices brought them a touch of notoriety.

The Transit of Venus

The aim of Captain Cook's first voyage was to witness the Transit of Venus across the Sun in 1769. At the same time Captain Cook observed the Transit in Tahiti, a local North Yorkshire gentleman did the same from England.

William Thomas Stead

William Thomas Stead was editor of the Northern Echo Newspaper in Darlington, and he pioneered new journalism techniques. He tackled many taboo subjects, such as prostitution, slums, poverty, politics and military intervention.

For Better or Worse

The 1800s saw the commercial birth of the 'Quack Doctor' who took advantage of the many diseases sweeping the country and decimating the population. However if the diseases didn’t kill you, what you took to cure it might well have finished you off...

Inspired by the medical collection at Preston Park Museum and Grounds we investigate these so called 'cure-alls'.

Henry Pease – To Russia With Peace

What could possibly link the Crimean war and the Tsar of Russia to a small town in the Tees Valley? The answer is one man – Mr Henry Pease.

The Howeys, Father and Son Painters

John William Howey was a landscape artist from Hartlepool. His son, Robert Leslie Howey also became an artist.

Saint Hild and Hartlepool Abbey

Saint Hilda’s Church in Hartlepool is believed to be what is left of an abbey that once stood on the headland. It is named so after the Abbess who managed the site during the 7th Century.

Margaret Green

Margaret Green is one of Hartlepool's most successful artists. She is known for her paintings of everyday life and was married to the artist Lionel Bulmer.