The Assembly Rooms were once known as the Upper Assembly Rooms, but since the Lower Rooms long ago were demolished, the National Trust calls this building the Assembly Rooms, period. They are used for a wide variety of purposes and house the Fashion Museum on the lower level.
Our Guide, Marian Bacon, who knew All Things Bath, not to mention all things Jane Austen. She led us with charm, grace, and efficiency through our adventures.
The Ballroom was all set up for a meeting, a far cry form its heyday, as below portrayed by Cruikshank in 1799 and below that, a view by Thomas Rowlandson. These two are renowned as caricaturists of the period and certainly viewed what today appears to be the elegance of Bath with their tongues firmly in cheeks.
The Tea Room as it appeared in the 18th century and below, the Card Room today.
We actually had tea in the Tea Room, but I was so busy enjoying the experience, I forgot about my camera.
This plan of the Assembly Rooms pops up on a variety of sites, and I can't remember from which I 'borrowed' it.
The Fashion Museum hosts changing exhibitions of fashions from the 18th to the 21st centuries. A special exhibition showed clothing worn by several recent and current royal women. Below, a mauve gown worn by Queen Alexandra (1844 - 1925).
I had to admit the dress below right, worn by Princess Margaret (1930-2002) reminded me of a prom dress I once had. But I would never have worn a gown like the one on the left, which looks like a Hospital Candy-Striper at the ball. I am laughing at how much the spellcheck wants to make that stripper!
After that lame joke, I think I shall close and wait for new inspiration for further Bath jaunts.
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