Reflections on At Home with the Wesleys Exhibition 1716

by on October 30th, 2023 in blog

People dressed in 18th century clothes standing outside Epworth Old Rectory building.

It’s almost time to say farewell to At Home with the Wesleys exhibition! 

As we near the end of our incredible journey, we thought we’d take this opportunity to reflect on key highlights and successes from the exhibition. 

What was At Home with the Wesleys Exhibition 1716 About?

At Home with the Wesleys told the inspiring story of the Wesley family and captured the everyday lives of ordinary 18th-century families. 

From precarious methods of preserving food to beds infested with prolific creepy crawlies, visitors to the exhibition had an exclusive window into the many trials and tribulations faced by the average 18th-century person. 

In case you missed it, here’s a quick summary of the main themes we explored across the exhibition: 

  • Light the Way: Candles were the main source of light for 18th-century families. If you were wealthy, beeswax candles were your light of choice. If you were poor, your home was likely consumed by the potent pong of tallow candles aka. animal fat!
  • Expiry Dates: As mentioned above, 18th-century people had a funny method for prolonging the shelf life of food. They would revert to methods such as “potting” which involved cooking and cooling vegetables, meat, or fish before coating them in melted butter and preserving them in jars.
  • When Nature Calls: If you were a wealthier 18th-century family – like the Wesleys – you’d use a chamber pot to wash and go to the toilet in. But what happens if nature calls when you’re out of the house? Well, a miniature chamber pot called a Bourdaloue was a popular choice with the ladies. Whether riding in a carriage or attending a church sermon, the trusty Bourdaloue would always be on hand!
  • 18th Century Medicine: Most people in the 18th century couldn’t afford a doctor or to go to the apothecary. Most would try to take care of their illnesses and ailments at home. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote Primitive Physick or An Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases in 1746 to demystify medical knowledge and alleviate suffering within poorer communities. A very socially progressive move for that time!
  • Very Superstitious: Many 18th-century homes practised various rituals to keep evil entities at bay. For example, rowan loops were used as amulets against witchcraft, ghosts, fairies, and the evil eye.
  • “Sleep Tight, Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite!”: Bedbugs were a common problem for 18th-century people because mattresses were often stuffed with materials like straw or cornhusks which attracted pesky pests.
  • No Smoke Without Fire: Fires were a common occurrence in the 18th century. Most houses were built with wattle, daub, and thatched roofs which were highly flammable. The fire service didn’t exist during that time so it was up to the local community to rally together if a building was ablaze. In fact, a huge fire occurred at Epworth Old Rectory in 1709 and the house that first stood completely burned down!

Still curious? Check out this blog post where we explore themes of the exhibition in more detail.

What Were the Aims of the Exhibition?

We recognise the integral role our community plays at Epworth Old Rectory.  

So, we wanted to create an engaging and thought-provoking exhibition that appealed to a wide range of visitors. The main aims of the exhibition were to encourage repeat visits and engage new audiences – mainly families and local visitors – that wouldn’t have ordinarily visited the Old Rectory. 

You can learn more about how the exhibition first came into being here.

At Home with the Wesleys Living History Day 

As part of the exhibition, Epworth Old Rectory hosted a Living History Day At Home with the Wesleys.

Prominent figures from the past burst into life as costumed characters – including Susanna and Samuel Wesley and servants – told fascinating stories about the Wesley family and what life was like in the 18th century. 

The Living History Day gave visitors the unique opportunity to become historical voyeurs for the day as we delved into key narratives from the past. 

Here’s a quick summary of the thrilling tales we explored on the day:

  • The lives of Samuel and Susanna Wesley 
  • The lives of the 7 Wesley daughters 
  • Medicines from Primitive Physick
  • Life of a kitchen maid 

Visitors also enjoyed compelling interactive experiences such as:

  • 18th-century music performed by young local musicians
  • Making posies to help ward off bad smells that were a part of everyday life in the 18th century!
  • Watching the kitchen maid make butter and cook food on the open fire 

 

18th century kitchen maid grinding herbs in the kitchen

An 18th century kitchen maid grinding herbs in the parlour at Epworth Old Rectory.

Has the Exhibition Been Successful? 

In short, the At Home with the Wesleys exhibition was a big success! 

Throughout the exhibition visitor numbers have risen by an incredible 41%. Plus, the Living History Day attracted a diverse range of visitors including locals, families and individuals who had visited us before. 

Special thanks to Epworth Old Rectory staff members and our wonderful volunteer team for making this historical dream a reality! 

What did you think about At Home with the Wesleys exhibition? What exhibition or historical event would you like to see next? 

Let us know in the comments! 

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