Did you know that Braintree played an important part in the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953? From their factory in Braintree, Warner & Sons were given the opportunity to produce the silks worn by Elizabeth II, along with the decorative fabrics used to adorn Westminster Abbey. Join us on a behind the scenes tour at the Warner Textile Archive to learn about the process of making sumptuous velvets for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and how Warner & Sons pioneered the creation of Cloth of Gold, woven with real silver and gold thread. Warner & Sons have a long tradition of supplying fabric to royalty. From Queen Victoria to Prince Charles, our collection spans hundreds of years of silks and velvets created for special royal occasions and to furnish palaces. A Behind the Scenes Tour at the Warner Textile Archive allows you to explore the history of royal fabric design and see up close some of the most luxurious textiles in the UK.
Visits include an introductory talk on the history of Warner & Sons held at Braintree Museum, followed by a behind the scenes visit to the Warner Textile Archive store with an expert guide for CELEBRATING THE PLATINUM JUBILEE: SILKS AND VELVETS FOR ROYALTY where you will get the chance to see textiles made for royal events and palaces up close. The tour includes a short walk through historic Braintree to change venues. All tours include refreshments of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits.
