Buckingham Old Gaol facts for kids
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| Established | 1993 |
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| Location | Buckingham, England |
| Type | Local history |
The Buckingham Old Gaol is a historic building in Buckingham, England. It was once a prison, but today it's a museum. You can also find a shop and a tourist information centre inside. It's located right in the town centre on Market Hill. The building is sometimes called Lord Cobham’s Castle.
Contents
A Look Back: The Old Gaol's Story
The Old Gaol was built in 1748. This happened after a special law was passed in 1747. Most of the money for building it came from Richard Temple. He was a very important person in Buckingham at the time.
Building Design and Early Use
The building was designed in the Gothic style. This means it has features like pointed arches and strong stone walls. One famous person held here was Simon Byrne. He was a well-known prize fighter. He was tried in Buckingham in 1830.
In 1839, the rounded front of the building was added. This part was designed by George Gilbert Scott, a local architect. It was called the Keeper's Lodge. This area provided living space for the person in charge of the gaol.
Changing Roles Over Time
For about 60 years, the Old Gaol served as the police station for Buckingham. Later, a new police station was built nearby. In 1891, the building became a fire station.
From 1892 to 1926, a military group rented part of the building. They used it to store their weapons. In 1907, public toilets were also added to the building.
From Shop to Museum
In the 1950s, the Old Gaol transformed into an antiques shop and a café. In 1974, the local council took over the building.
A group called the Buckingham Heritage Trust was formed in 1985. Their goal was to save the historic building. Thanks to their efforts, the Old Gaol opened as a museum in 1993. It also became a tourist information centre. In 2000, a glass roof was added over the old exercise yard. This was done with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
What You'll Find at the Museum
The museum is open to everyone. It shares the interesting story of Buckingham and how people used to live in the countryside. You can see the Flora Thompson Collection there. She was the author of the famous book Lark Rise to Candleford.
Military History Exhibits
The museum also has exhibits from the Buckinghamshire Military Trust. Many of the original prison cells are now part of the museum displays. You can explore them and imagine what life was like for prisoners.
The Buckinghamshire Military Museum Trust is based at the Old Gaol. They have a collection of military items. This includes old weapons, uniforms, and other military souvenirs. They also have a small collection of musical instruments used by the military.
Gallery
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Rear view of the Old Gaol.
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Cells in the gaol.
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Cell door in the gaol.
