Axminster Museum facts for kids
Axminster Museum was a local museum in the town of Axminster, Devon, England. It was located in the Old Police Station and Courthouse. The museum first opened its doors in 1982.
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The Old Police Station and Courthouse
The museum was housed in a special building called the Old Police Station and Courthouse. This stone building was built in the 1860s. It used to be a workhouse before that. The building has two floors and a unique design. It is now a Grade II listed building, which means it is a historically important place.
What Was Inside?
Inside the museum, you could see the old police cells. You could also visit the courtroom where trials once took place. It was a chance to step back in time and imagine what it was like.
Amazing Collections
The museum had many interesting items for visitors to explore. These collections told the story of Axminster and its people.
Axminster Carpets
A big part of the museum's collection was about the town's famous carpet industry. This industry was started by Thomas Whitty in 1755. You could learn how these beautiful carpets were made.
Other Exhibits
The museum also showed many other things. These included old farming tools and items found from ancient times. There were also old coins and medals. You could see costumes and textiles, too. Many old photographs and historical papers were on display. Sometimes, the museum would have special exhibitions on different topics.
A New Home: The Heritage Centre
In 2015, a group called Axminster Heritage Ltd took over the museum's collection. They decided to move it to a new place. This new home was the nearby Heritage Centre.
Funding the Move
The Heritage Lottery Fund helped a lot with this move. They gave a grant of £69,700. This money helped create a new museum area. It was located in the Thomas Whitty House, which was part of the old carpet factory.
Grand Opening
The new Heritage Centre opened in 2016. Many of the museum's exhibits were moved there. This meant the history of Axminster could continue to be shared.
Exciting New Displays
More money from the Heritage Lottery Fund helped make the museum even better. The museum area inside the Heritage Centre was completely updated. It reopened in April 2019 with brand new displays.
The Crabtree Gripper Loom
One of the most exciting new additions was a real 1937 Crabtree Gripper Loom. This huge machine was once used at the Axminster Carpet factory. Harry Dutfield opened this factory in 1937. The loom shows how carpets were made in the past.
Tourist Information
The building that houses the Heritage Centre also has the town's tourist information centre. This is a helpful place for visitors to find out about things to do in Axminster.
