Restoration of Bogan House nearing completion

June 2020

Bogan House is one of only four grade one listed buildings in Totnes. It dates from the mid-sixteenth century, although some alterations and additions were made in later centuries. William Bogan and his wife Elizabeth are responsible for “the best plaster ceilings in Totnes”: it was probably Elizabeth’s dowry that paid for them — she was the daughter of Alan Hakewell, the third richest man in Totnes.

The DW Mitchell Trust has been carrying out a thorough restoration over the past six years. There are some small alterations internally but most of the work in the areas leased to the Costume and Textiles Museum has been has been to repair damage over time, including being hit by a lorry some years ago.

Fire retardant separation from the other buildings in the Butterwalk has been installed; previously the attics ran along the whole range of buildings.

Our pictures show the most striking restoration. The front of the building now has new sash windows and tiling. The beam supporting the ridge of the roof appears to have been cut from one branch of a tree and the bow in it will remain as the wood was found to be perfectly sound.

January 2023: Investigation of the state of the tiling

April 2023: Work in progress

February 2024: External restoration mostly complete

Progress on the restoration of Bogan House

In March, completion of the work on a new gas main in Totnes High Street allowed restoration work to commence on the slating and windows on the front of Bogan House. The building is now shrouded in scaffolding and plastic sheeting, but behind them work continues apace. We look forward to the day when the beautiful old building emerges from its cladding with a restored facade to grace its situation at the centre of Totnes. We will then be able to start work on the preparation of a grand exhibition in 2024.

The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes

The new book by our Trustee, Dr. Kate Strasdin, The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes – Secrets from a Victorian Woman’s Wardrobe, was published on 23 February 2023. It was well reviewed in The Guardian — “The result is an extraordinarily rich record of middle-class Victorian life, both at home and abroad” — and The Times (paywall) — “An album of dress offcuts gives an irresistible glimpse of a Victorian life”.

We were fortunate to have Kate give the Friends of the Collection her own insights from the book in a talk on 16 April 2023.