Mystery surrounds museum wedding gown

Beautiful dress displayed at Newbury's museum

Mystery surrounds the origins of a beautiful 1930s wedding gown on display at Newbury Museum.

The silk gown was purchased by West Berkshire Museum, in the Wharf, for £35 in 1987, from the Oxfam charity shop in Northbrook Street, but the history of the dress remains unknown.

“It’s obviously come from a local family, as it came from a local shop,” said museum manager, Victoria Barlow, adding the museum would be delighted to hear from anyone with information about the gown, including any wedding photographs of the 1930s bride.

The early 1930s gown is a pale/peach colour, with a high waist and applied tulle rose decoration and metallic threads. It has covered buttons down the back and on the cuffs and a satin train attached, in the same colour.

There is still plenty of time to see the gown at the museum, as it forms part of an exhibition entitled Dress to Impress which runs until the end of the year.

The exhibition examines the way people present themselves in the way they dress, from standing out at a wedding in a glamorous gown, to fitting in with the rest of society.

Baby clothes and jewellery throughout history are included in the exhibition.

The recently refurbished West Berkshire Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and bank holiday Mondays 10am to 4pm.