The Patricia Bracegirdle Collection of Maps of Shropshire consists of 74 maps dating from the late 17th century to the late 19th century and shows the development of the county, its transport systems, and its towns during the Industrial Revolution.
The Bracegirdle maps were collected and donated to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust by Dr Patricia de Haan. She began collecting maps over 60 years ago and says that “There came a point when I had no more wall space to display them so I donated them to the Trust where they can now be displayed and used for research.”
Pat also warns any would-be map enthusiasts: “Collecting maps is a serious addiction for which there is no known cure and it’s an expensive habit to feed! However, it is also deeply interesting and if one can share the pleasure with others, doubly so.”
