Historic directory restored and donated to museum

A restored snapshot of local history has been donated to the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.

The late former chairman of Windsor Local History Group, Hester Davenport, had intended to have the 1846 Directory for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Huntingdonshire restored and presented to the museum before she passed away last year.

Her husband Tony gave it to current history group chairman Brigitte Mitchell, who fulfilled the wish with the help of Richard Day, former bookbinder to the Queen, who carried out the restoration.

Yesterday, it was handed to Margaret Kirby, Royal Borough service manager for arts and heritage, at the museum at the Guildhall.

Directories are a valuable source for historical research. There are various types, listing information including details of businesses and tradespeople - similar to the modern day Yellow Pages.

The restored directory is mainly a trade directory, but also contains the names of householders.

Brigitte said: "It's a wonderful addition to the museum."