The surviving evidence of childhood from our past can be both funny and sad. One of the most popular exhibits in the museum is a dolls' house of 1871 made by George Harding of Weston-super-Mare for Edith and Annie Mason whose photographs can be seen hanging in the largest room. The house is beautifully furnished and decorated and includes some delicate handmade lace. There is also a collection of dolls, of which the most notable is a china-headed baby doll dressed by one of Queen Victoria's dressmakers; and a collection of teddy bears including one wearing a parachute harness! Another side of childhood is also depicted within the collections. A 16th century iron corset for a young girl must have been appallingly uncomfortable to wear, whether for support or punishment. Finally, and all too common in the past, the collections include a 19th century child's bier, used to carry the coffins of children to their funerals, in this case from Thorpe Morieux.