History

Robert Thompson, born in 1876 dedicated his life to the craft of carving and joinery in English Oak. He taught himself to use the traditional tools and by 1919 he was experimenting with his own ideas for producing furniture based on the English styles of the 17th Century.

Now the famous mouse symbol, found on every item crafted by Robert Thompson’s has an uncertain history. The story told by Robert Thompson himself is that one of his craftsmen remarked that they “We all as poor as church mice” Whereupon Robert carved a mouse on the church screen he was working on. That particular mouse has never been found but it has continued as a trade mark of quality and dedication to craftsman ever since.

The Visitor Centre

The centre first opened to the general public back in April 1994. The displays were housed in Robert Thompson’s original workshop and adjoining Blacksmiths shop.

The Centre closed in 2002 to undergo extensive alterations at a cost of over half a million pounds. The enlarged and totally revamped centre re-opened it’s doors in April 2004 to enable visitors to experience what life must have been like for Robert growing up in the late 19th century as part of a thriving village community.