Brassey Road, Bexhill (UK) photograph by Louise Kenward
The wonderful world of (Lady) Annie Brassey bring tales of extensive voyages to far flung places and philanthropy brought to her doorstep. Born in 1839 her story is as interesting for it’s documentation in history as her achievements. I have had many communications with people well versed in the travels of Thomas Brassey and his politics, but less so of his wife. Equally, there has been much mention of Hastings with regards to the Brassey’s, less so does Bexhill get a mention. Even in the book ‘Sussex Women’ (Kramer, A. 2007) Bexhill is once again overshadowed by Hastings.
The voyages the family went on – in their custom built ship the ‘Sunbeam’ – are well documented in Annie’s books. Originally letters sent home to her father, they were subsequently published and internationally distributed. During these trips Annie collected considerable and varied treasures, often gifts, they were collated and exhibited at her home Normanhurst, Catsfield (arguably closer to Bexhill than Hastings). Open to the public, an admission fee was collected for charity. After Annie’s death the collection from Normanhurst was donated to Bexhill Museum, along with original display cases, and still forms a significant part of the collection on display today.
An excerpt from Julian Porter’s publication (curator of Bexhill Museum) on Annie Brassey gives great insight into Annie, her collection and travels, and the way in which she explored the world (as well as a small insight into his view on how she has been documented in history):
“It is not possible to separate Brassey from the collection; she made it famous, and not the reverse. Brassey’s journeys created the unifying link between disparate objects and the books she wrote continued that connection. The collection, like Brassey’s books, allowed people to share her voyages around the world; the books described the events and the objects made them tangible.” (Julian Porter, 1995).
His view is that she held an attitude of curator more than collector, in the manner she wished to share with others.
While my own travels will not mirror those of Annie Brassey directly (a specially commissioned boat would be rather lovely but sadly beyond budget), she has echoed throughout my research thus far. Family links with the railway and a Brassey farm in Canada, time spent in Australia and her desire for collecting and writing, I am anticipating the inter weaving of her stories in different ways throughout this project.
Normanhurst Hotel, Brassey Road (after it’s namesake in Catsfield). Photograph by Louise Kenward