Buckingham Old Gaol facts for kids
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| Established | 1993 |
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| Location | Buckingham, England |
| Type | Local history |
Buckingham Old Gaol is a super old building in Buckingham, England. People sometimes call it Lord Cobham’s Castle. This historic place used to be a jail.
Today, it's a cool museum, a shop, and a place to get tourist information. You can find it right in the middle of town on Market Hill. The Old Gaol is also part of the Milton Keynes Heritage Association. It is also a member of the Association of Independent Museums.
Contents
The Old Gaol's Story
How the Gaol Began
The first building for the Old Gaol was built way back in 1748. This happened after a special rule, called an Act of Parliament, was made in 1747. A rich person named Richard Temple helped pay for most of it. He was a very important person in Buckingham at the time.
The building was made in a style called Gothic architecture. This means it had a classic, old-fashioned look. One famous person who was held here was a prize fighter named Simon Byrne.
Changes Over Time
In 1839, the front of the building got a new, rounded shape. A local architect named George Gilbert Scott designed this part. This new section was for the jailer to live in. It became known as the Keeper's Lodge.
For about 60 years, the Old Gaol was used as the police station for Buckingham. Later, a new police station was built nearby. In 1891, it changed again and became a fire station. A part of the building was also used by soldiers for their weapons from 1892 to 1926. In 1907, public bathrooms were added for everyone to use.
Becoming a Museum
In the 1950s, the Old Gaol became an antiques shop and a café. Then, in 1974, the local council took care of the building. A group called Buckingham Heritage Trust was started in 1985. Their goal was to save this important building.
Thanks to their efforts, the Old Gaol opened as a museum in 1993. It also became a tourist information centre. In 2000, the museum got money to add a glass roof. This roof covered the old exercise yard where prisoners used to walk.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Buckingham Old Gaol Museum is open for visitors. It shares the history of Buckingham and what life was like in the countryside. You can learn about Flora Thompson, who wrote the famous book Lark Rise to Candleford.
Military History Exhibits
The museum also has special exhibits from the Buckinghamshire Military Museum Trust. This trust keeps its collections right here. You can see old weapons, military uniforms, and other cool items. They even have a small collection of old musical instruments used by soldiers. These include early drums with ropes to tighten them.
Images for kids
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Rear view of the Old Gaol.
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Cells in the jail.
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Cell door in the jail.
