The Amelia Scott, 2026

The Costume Society is very pleased to be supporting the Amelia Scott institution in Royal Tunbridge Wells with an Elizabeth Hammond Conservation Grant awarded in 2026.

The team at the Amelia Scott is currently working on a project titled ‘Something Blue’, which includes the conservation and display of a rare, blue Georgian wedding dress, bringing its story – and the history of Georgian Tunbridge Wells – to life.

More than just a beautiful object, the dress reveals how fashion expressed identity in the Georgian period – what people wore, why it mattered, and what it said about them. Once on display, the dress will feature in talks, interpretation and school sessions, and events to inspire the curiosity and connect visitors with the people of the past.

The institution’s team are working with conservator Alex Seth-Smith of Textile Conservancy Limited to ensure the dress is carefully conserved and mounted. It will be displayed in the Amelia’s Georgian Spa Gallery as part of a rotating programme of fragile textiles.

Once on display, the dress’s condition and visitor engagement will be monitored. A QR code linked to a Culture Counts survey will be set up, allowing visitors to share their reflections about the dress. Feedback from school children who take part in workshops inspired by the garment will help the team understand the educational impact and how the dress helps bring history to life for young audiences.

The Costume Society is excited to see the results of the work of the Amelia Scott and Alex Seth-Smith. Progress updates to follow!