New exhibition will give people the chance to look at unique pieces of Norfolk history
Drawing and account of a boat trip on the Broads, dated 1861. Photo: Norfolk Record Office. - Credit: Norfolk Record Office
From diaries to maps to photographs - people will be able to look at some unique pieces of Norfolk history in a new exhibition opening on Monday.
Important records bought at the Morningthorpe Manor house sale are going on show at the Norfolk Record Office (NRO) following a public appeal launched with the the Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation (NORAH) which raised £30,000 to buy them.
Among the lots bought was the diaries of politician Horatio William Walpole whose entries include a grisly account of the 1837 execution of James Greenacre from West Winch, who was convicted of murdering his fiancée and cutting up her body before disposing of it around London. Greenacre's death mask is on display at Norwich Castle Museum.
Other items on display include Stratton Strawless title deeds from 1431 and photos taken by Walter Clutterbuck in 1919 which show a working fairground carousel believed to be made by Savage's of Kings Lynn.
There are also photos of north Norfolk coastal scenes, maps, local business records, travel journals and the first account of a pleasure trip on the Norfolk Broads in 1861.
Archivists have transcribed some of the documents and magnified sections of others to ensure visitors can see the details in the exhibition.
The exhibition - called Saving Norfolk's Archival Heritage - will be on display at Norfolk Record Office, next to County Hall in Norwich.
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It will run from Monday, February 20 to Friday, May 19 and entry is free.
County Archivist Gary Tuson said: 'We are very grateful to everyone who helped with the fundraising so that we could buy and preserve these important Norfolk records.
'This display is a great chance for people to come in and view a piece of history. The documents are varied and include everything from maps and diaries to photographs.'