Talk: Chairmaking as a Cottage Industry

A popular view of the local furniture industry is of male workers in factories, with a centralised and mechanised industry that developed from the 18th century country crafts.

However, most of these ‘factories’ were in fact small workshops and many of the processes remained handcrafts. Some workers, even into the 20th century, were based in their homes, or in their workshops away from High Wycombe’s town centre. Women workers played a significant part in the industry, although their work has often been overlooked. Join Curator Dr Catherine Grigg for this fresh look at chair making in and around High Wycombe, from the 18th century to the 20th.

This is a longer version of the talk presented by Catherine to the Bucks Local History Network conference in October 2022.

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This talk is free to attend, but with a suggested donation of £5 per person. Donations to the Museum at point of booking or on the event date are much appreciated.

Part of our Hidden Hands: Women and Work in the Chilterns exhibition events programme.