Hidden Heroines: the untold stories of the women of the Dockyard

Hidden Heroines: the untold stories of the women of the Dockyard is a new temporary exhibition at The Historic Dockyard for Spring 2021. The exhibition explores the valuable roles women played throughout the Dockyard’s 400-year history, right up to present day. From the women of the Spinning Rooms and Sail and Colour Loft, to tales of stowaways, women masquerading as men and the extraordinary women whose impact left a lasting legacy. The exhibition challenges the misconceptions and superstitions of women at sea, women’s place in war and highlights colourful characters including Jane Austen’s sister, Fanny, and Zandra Bradley, the first female apprentice, whilst not forgetting those who continue to work at the Historic Dockyard to this day.

A visit to The Historic Dockyard Chatham - one of Britain’s leading maritime heritage destinations – is a guaranteed adventure. Step into the heart of Chatham’s legendary ship building heritage and return to the ‘Age of Sail’, when the Dockyard built mighty ships that won command of the world’s oceans.