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Home » The Domestic Sphere » Interiors: views and descriptions » Lighting

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Page 1

  • Gas lighting was first introduced to the Judge's Lodging in 1860, powered by the newly established gas works in Hereford Street. It was, however, fitted only in the basement where the servants lived and worked - it was reported that 'they should see how the thing worked first before incurring further expense', ie. they were testing it out on the servants! It was eventually fitted in the courtroom, but was apparently considered too down market for the judge's apartments, leaving the judges to struggle down stairs by candlelight to the one toilet! Source: The Judge's Lodging Museum
Gasolier, Judge's Lodging, Presteigne
  • From the 1 September 1939 the black-out of Britain began. Every window in every building had to be covered by the fall of dark, so that no light could be seen from the outside, and there were heavy fines for people not complying with the rules. When the 'Blitz' began this was especially important, because it made it more difficult for the German bombers to find their targets. Black light bulbs (such as the one shown here) were installed in many homes as were blinds made from black fabric.
Second World War light bulb used during the blackout
  • Presented to William Walters, Mayor of Haverfordwest by the South Wales Railway Company in 1853.
Silver candelabra, 1853
  • By 1870 most houses were lit by gas. Gas pipes ran to a plaster 'rose' in the centre of the ceiling and to 'S' shaped brackets on the walls. The light would be produced by the gas flame which would burn surrounded by a glass shade. The hanging lamps seen here contained a chain switch to light and extinguish them, but to light the wall lamps a tap had to be turned and the gas lit with a match.
Gas lights, Chepstow, late 19th century
  • On this page she records her admiration of a device used by a Mr Heidegger in the hall that lit 1800 candles in less than three minutes.
Letter from Mary Granville on the coronation of George II, October 1727 [page 2 of 4]