The Dover Burghmote Horn on display at Maison Dieu House – samedi 10 September

 

The Dover Burghmote Horn will be on display at Maison Dieu House on Saturday 10 September for the first time since its return to the Town after being stolen in 1969. The Horn which may date back to the 1550s was used to summon the citizens of Dover to Town Meetings and is the finest of about 10 known to still exist.

Maison Dieu House will be open this Saturday 10am – 4pm as part of the annual Heritage Open Day weekend. Maison Dieu House was built in 1665 comme la résidence officielle de l'agent victualler, la personne responsable de l'organisation locale de la fourniture de la nourriture et des boissons aux navires de la Royal Navy. Juste à côté de la Maison Dieu lui-même (la mairie) a été utilisé pour le stockage. The Agent Victualler remained until after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and then the building was used as the official residence of the Officer in charge of the Royal Engineers in Dover until 1834.

Maison Dieu House became connected to the Mayoralty when Mr RW Mummery, who held the office of Mayor 3 times, bought the property as his private residence. Dover Corporation bought Maison Dieu House in 1904 as a base for the Town’s public services including the Borough Engineer and the Medical Officer. Dans 1952 Dover Library opened and in 2004 the Town Council renovated and restored the building when it assumed ownership. It is now used by the Town Council and People of Dover for a wide range of civic occasions and meetings.

On Saturday the Council Chamber, the Mayor’s Parlour and the Charter Room will be open together with a display of historic items.