The Parsonage, which attracts fans of the Brontes from all over the world every year, is throwing open the door of 'Charlotte's Bedroom' to reveal a picture of life in the house. In fact, this is the room where Charlotte slept and ultimately died in 1855 at the age of just 38-years-old - the last survivor of the famous literary sisters..
 | | On show: Charlotte Bronte's dress |
Just a year after the 150th anniversary of her death, this is the chance to come 'face to face' with the REAL Charlotte Bronte - not just the legendary author of Jane Eyre among other classics penned there. In other words, it's a chance to take a peek behind the scenes of Charlotte's life to find out what it was really like in the Parsonage overlooking the bleak expanse of Haworth Moor. Curator at the Parsonage Polly Salter says the new exhibition aims to make Charlotte seem a bit more 'human': "The exhibition hopes to give visitors a glimpse of the personality and physical stature of this amazing woman. We can build a picture of how Charlotte may have looked through her clothing, jewellery and possessions which goes some way to understanding one of the most famous literary authors in the World." | "We can build a picture of how Charlotte may have looked through her clothing, jewellery and possessions" | | Polly Salter, Bronte Parsonage Curator |
Even Charlotte's iron curling tongs will be on show, with users of today's electric hair straighteners and curling tongs likely to marvel at what women had to use in the 19th Century to get their curls and waves 'just so'! Visitors can also see be a chalk drawing of Charlotte which was bought in 2004 and has since been carefully restored by experts. These are just some of the many objects being shown which build-up a picture of life at the Parsonage. But as well as portraits and possessions, the 'Face To Face' exhibition reveals how others saw the famous Haworth author - and how she saw herself. It's interesting to know that accounts of Charlotte by people who knew her at the time suggest she had quite a striking appearance, 'small of hand and foot' with a square jaw and a broad forehead.
 | | Handy: Charlotte Bronte's leather gloves |
Charlotte's publisher, George Smith, said that at their first meeting in 1848 she certainly made an impact: "I must confess that my first impression of Charlotte Bronte's personal appearances was that it was interesting rather than attractive. She was very small and had a quaint old-fashioned look...Her head seemed too large for her body. She had fine eyes, but her face was marred by the shape of the mouth and by the complexion." There's even the chance to take a look at some of Charlotte's small rings and included in the collection is a gold pearl ring given to her by her husband, Arthur Bell Nicholls, who was married to Charlotte for just nine months before her death while pregnant on 31st March 1855. In other words, the 'Face To Face' exhibition at the Parsonage in Haworth offers what could be a real chance to find out more about one of the World's most famous authors by taking a look at some of her most personal possessions in the very house where she created the works of literature which made her so famous in the first place! "Interesting rather than attractive" she may have been, but Charlotte Bronte's legend lives on into the 21st century - both in Haworth and beyond! The Face To Face exhibition is on now at the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth. It runs until 31st December 2006. The Museum is open 10am-530pm April to September, 1100am-5pm October to March. There is an entrance fee. | 
