This is an album dating from the early 19th century which we have recently acquired. It contains paintings, sketches and text and was compiled by a young woman who lived in Bawtry and who was a published botanical artist and a pioneer in providing a good education to girls and young women.

Late last year the Bawtry Heritage Group acquired the book shown in the photographs below. It is best described as an eclectic mix of contributions compiled by Miss Anne Everard, once a resident of Bawtry. The book appears to have begun its life as an album of memoirs in March 1827, making it at least 198 years old. Anne was a resident of Bawtry from the early part of the 19th century up until 1844. She lived during the 1830’s and 40’s in what was then Ivy House, Wharf Street, now Leigh House.

At this residence, she ran a boarding school for young ladies and was one of a number of ladies in the Doncaster area who was involved in the establishment of structured learning for girls. This summer, to coincide with the town’s festival, the Bawtry Heritage Group is preparing an exhibition commemorating Anne, who was also renowned for her botanic art work. This will be in the new Heritage Centre space in the community library. The album will be the centrepiece and much more will be revealed.

If you have any information about Anne or about her involvement in the education of girls in Bawtry please contact us here.

Download the file below: