SMCC > Collections > Textiles > A to Z > Godalming Museum

Godalming Museum

The textile collection is used to illustrate Godalming's history as a centre of the knitting industry. From the 17th century, framework knitting was a thriving local industry producing silk and wool stockings. In 1812 there were over 100 stocking makers in Godalming and there were successful knitwear manufacturers in the town into the 20th century.

Among other textile items, the museum displays a 19th century machine for knitting stockings, a cricket sweater in the machine knit cable stitch invented in Godalming by Mrs Pitcher, and a sample of Godalming's famous Fleecy and Segovia woollen socks (guaranteed against gout and rheumatism). The museum has interactive touch screen computers, which give information on the once thriving framework knitting industry, and the mark it left on the town. The programme also includes a game, which teaches the basic production process for woollen cloth.

The museum library has books on the woollen industry. The library is open to the public in the afternoons on Tuesday to Saturday. This area can be booked for school sessions in the mornings, when photographs and books can be accessed.

The museum houses a collection based on the work of Gertrude Jekyll, the famous garden designer, artist and craftswoman. There are interesting examples of how her sketches were transformed into embroideries.

Contact details