We were very happy to run a joint event with the beautiful new Huguenot Museum during the February half term.

Hanging Pockets were the wonderful creation for women from the 17th-19th centuries who didn’t have the luxury – or the impracticality  – of a handbag. Instead, two deep pockets hid underneath their skirts (with appropriate slits), connected by string, into which women deposited all the knick-knacks needed as they went about their business.

Our visitors during half term decorated their own hanging pockets, before writing down their stories of the secret items they would keep in them, which we laminated for them to keep inside. Here’s a short video review – photos can be seen on our Pinterest.

Hanging Pockets from Rochester Literature Festival on Vimeo.