On the 16th June 2022, supporters of the Dorset Archive Trust attended a fund-raising Gala event at Smedmore House, a house residing on an estate rich with history. The event was attended by Dorset History Centre volunteer Toby, who is developing skills in film and photography, and has written this blog.
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The Dorset Archives Trust works closely with DHC – Jacqui Halewood, DHC’s Principal Archivist, explained
“This is a charity which supports our work, they fundraise in a number of ways, and one of the ways is this kind of gala event, where we are tonight at Smedmore. Funds raised can be used in a number of ways – including purchasing documents related to Dorset’s past when they come up for auction”.
Recent purchases have included maps and surveys of the Manor of Cheddington (Acc. 11788); Letters and documents relating to Thomas Hardy (Acc. 11580a); and a notebook of work done at Bloxworth House (Acc.11565).
Since the time of Henry II, the Smedmore estate has bounced between families such as: The Smedmores, The Wyots, The Clavells, and most recently the Mansels. The current owner, Doctor Phillip Mansel, enjoys showing his home to others so that they too can enjoy its rich European history.
Dr Mansell told us:
“I’ve owned the house since 1989 after inheriting it from my father. He handed it over in advance, and he died in 2007”.
In his opinion the most prized historical artefacts on the estate are
“the two Japanese lacquer antique cabinets owned since the reign of William III. They were probably made in Amsterdam by refugee French Huguenots”.
These cabinets can be found in the Drawing Room.
The Estate also includes the grave of the family tiger from 1880. Doctor Mansel’s great grandfather was in India, and he brought back a tiger, which unfortunately was unable to the survive the British winter at that time.
Another interesting artefact, which can be found in the hall of the house is the chair which Napoleon Bonaparte sat in, while he was imprisoned on the isle of Saint Helena. According to Doctor Mansel his,
“Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Colonel John Mansel was a part of the Garrison on the island. When Napoleon died in 1821 a friend bought the chair as a trophy. It was part of a set made by George Bullock, a famous Regency Carpenter, by order of The British government for Napoleon”.
More details can be found about Sir George Bingham’s and Lt Col Mansel’s involvement with Napoleon’s exile in these diaries and letters cared for at DHC.
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On the evening of the gala, guests could enjoy the warm summer evening and admire the rich tapestry of plants that grow in the garden’s micro-climate – including a lemon tree bearing fruit, the bamboo and the banana plants.
Dorset Archives Trust and Dorset History Centre are grateful to Doctor Mansel – and all guests who attended – for their valued support towards Saving Dorset’s Disappearing History.