Exhibitions | Diss Museum

ARCHIVED TREASURES

Explore our archives to find out more about the rich history of Diss

THOMAS PAINE'S DEATH MASK

Discover the haunting death mask, made by a friend shortly after Thomas Paine's death.

ALDRICH BROS., BRUSH FACTORY

Diss was a major centre of brush making, thanks to a Victorian entrepreneur.

BUTTON HOOKS

These handy tools remained in common use until after the First World War.

ADMIRAL WILSON'S UNIFORM

Discover the story Admiral George Wilson – Norfolk’s less well known admiral.

JONAS PIPE

The legacy of Dutch Jonas clay pipes.

DISS FARTHING

Believe or not, Diss once had a currency of its very own...

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HARRY PERRY'S WATCH

A hero of Diss Mere

DISS LACE

By royal appointment.

DISS MEDAL

The Diss Volunteer Infantry Reward of Merit medal: honouring Jabez Waller.

PRINCESS MARY'S
GIFT BOX

A teenage princess' gift to ease the plight of soldiers at the front during the First World War.

DOMESTIC
BELL

Domestic bell ringing system designed for a modest three bedroomed home.

FACE-HORSE COIN

This tiny silver coin was deposited in a field in the Norfolk village of Forncett during the Iron Age.

BRASS BUSHEL
INDENTURE

17th century indenture witnessing the collection of a brass bushel measure for Diss Market.

CUPISS CONSTITUTION & COUGH BALLS

A 19th century veterinary surgeon from Diss revolutionised animal healthcare with innovative constitution and cough balls.

DISS RED CROSS
HOSPITAL ALBUM

Photographs and drawings of staff and patients at ‘Uplands’ between 1914 & 1919.

SAMPLE TOP HATS

These samples were made by Diss hatter, William Aldrich, who worked in the town between 1858 until the end of the century.

CORN MEASURES

Four corn measures dating from the 1820s, ranging in size from from half a pint, to a peck .

DISS DIG

Items unearthed on the 'Dig Diss' site between Diss Town Council offices and the Mere in 2015.

NEEDLEWORK

These needlework specimens, created by Clair Parlett, date from the early 20th century.

DRAWING MITTEN

These drawing mittens were used by women in the Aldrich Bros. Brush Factory.

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JOHN SKELTON BOX

This beautiful offering box was made by Diss Embroidery Group for the 2004 Skelton festival.

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Lace Bobbins

Lace Bobbins which were used by members of the Diss Lace Association 1901-1937.

Betts Brick

This Brick represents the story of one Diss’s most ambitious entrepreneurs, William Betts.

Anness Butcher's Rush Bag

The woven rush bag for customer’s meat was used by Anness family of butchers who traded in Diss town centre.

Mystery Item

Our mystery object was used at Aldrich Brush Factory. This unknown item was found in the loft of Diss secondary school.

Burston Strike

This image shows a line of schoolchildren who paraded through the village of Burston and triggered the longest running strike in British history.

Woolly Mammoth Tooth

This upper right milk molar belonged to a young woolly mammoth who roamed the earth in the Devensian period.

Blacker Bombard Replica

Replica spigot mortar known as Blacker Bombard. One like this

would probably have been used by the Diss Home Guard.

Lace Pillow

Lace Pillow, know as Honiton-type lace pillow is attributed to Diss Lace Assosiation.

Linen Tray Cloth and Linen Shuttle

Linen Tray cloth and Wooden Linen Loom Shuttle are attributed to Lopham.