In 1860,
Julia Margaret Cameron bought two adjacent cottages in
Freshwater Bay from a local fisherman named Jacob Long. In order to make the house look more beautiful to her friends returning from the beach, they were linked by a central tower in the
Gothic style current at the time. The structure dominates the skyline from Freshwater Bay and gives a focus to the surrounding area. Dimbola took its name from the family's
coffee (later
tea)
plantation in
Dimbula,
Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Dimbola served as both her home and her studio. It was here that the greatest of Cameron's photographs were made. After the Camerons returned to Ceylon the property was again divided into two parts. These were later named Dimbola, which became a private residence and holiday flats. In 1991, a property company bought and obtained permission to demolish what was then called 'Cameron House'. The Julia Margaret Cameron Trust was formed, with the immediate and urgent aim of saving the house which was achieved three years later. Dimbola is now a museum and galleries dedicated to Cameron's life and work. It is also home to a permanent exhibition about the
Isle of Wight Festival 1970 held at nearby Afton Down. As well as showing contemporary exhibitions of photographers. Exhibitors have included
Annie Leibovitz,
Chris Packham and
Terry O'Neill. In 2006, a sculptural tribute to
Jimi Hendrix was erected here, looking out towards
Afton Down where the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival was held. ==See also==