Beck Isle Museum facts for kids
Beck Isle Museum
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| Established | 1967 |
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| Location | Pickering, North Yorkshire, England |
| Accreditation | Arts Council England (AN:1359) |
| Collection size | 60,000 objects |
| Public transit access | Pickering (NYMR) |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 12 May 1969 |
| Reference no. | 1315853 |
The Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life is a cool museum in Pickering, North Yorkshire, England. It shows you what life was like long ago. You can explore old shops like a barber, blacksmith, and chemist. There's also a cobbler, cooper, and printer. You can even see a gentleman's draper, a dairy, and a hardware store. The museum also has a Victorian-style pub and a fancy living room called a parlour. Plus, there's a special area with historic costumes.
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About the Museum Building
The museum is located in a beautiful old house. It's a fine mansion from the Regency period (early 1800s). This building is so special it's listed as Grade II*. This means it's an important historic building. The museum also uses old farm buildings next to the mansion.
The Sydney Smith Photo Collection
Who Was Sydney Smith?
One of the most interesting parts of the museum is its collection of photos. These photos were taken by a man named Sydney Smith (1884–1958). He was a famous photographer from Pickering. Sydney loved taking pictures, even though he had poor eyesight. He had a childhood illness that affected his eyes.
Sydney's Photography Business
In the early 1900s, Sydney opened his own photography business. He ran it with his wife, Maud. They worked together until World War I started. When Sydney went to fight in the war, Maud kept the shop running.
After the War
After the war, Sydney came home. He decided to stop working as a full-time photographer. Instead, he started a garage business. But he still loved photography very much. He spent all his free time taking more pictures.
What the Photos Show
The museum has thousands of Sydney Smith's photos. Many of them are on display. Most of these pictures are from the 1920s to the late 1940s. They show Pickering and the nearby villages. You can see local events and the people who lived there. These photos give us an amazing look at what the area was like over 50 years ago.
Gallery
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Living room
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Press
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Station Hotel
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Living room
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Inner court yard
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Pharmacy
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Hairdresser
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Tailor
