Buxton Museum and Art Gallery facts for kids
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| Former name | Peak Hydropathic Hotel |
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| Established | 1928 |
| Location | Buxton, Derbyshire |
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is a cool place to explore the past! It's located in Buxton, England. This museum is all about the history, geology (which is about rocks and the Earth), and archaeology (studying old things) of the amazing Peak District and Derbyshire areas.
You can visit the museum from Tuesday to Saturday all year. From Easter until the end of September, it's also open on Sunday and Bank Holiday afternoons. The best part? It's free to get in!
The building itself is quite old. It was built in 1880 and was first a hotel called the Peak Hydropathic Hotel. During the First World War, it became a hospital for Canadian soldiers. Later, in 1928, the Buxton Free Public Library & Museum moved into this building. The museum had to close in June 2023 because some wood in the building needed repairs.
Discover the Museum's Collections
The museum has many interesting things to see! These are some of the main collections you can explore:
Ancient Life and Earth's Story
- Fossils from the Peak District: See fossils from the Carboniferous period, which is a very long time ago! These were collected between 1900 and 1950.
- Ice Age Animals: Discover evidence of ancient mammals from caves and quarries across the Peak District. These animals lived during the Pliocene period.
- Geology Experts' Archives: Learn about famous geologists like Sir William Boyd Dawkins and Dr John Wilfrid (J.W.) Jackson. Their notes and findings are kept here.
Unique and Unusual Items
- Randolph Douglas's "House of Wonders": This special collection from Castleton includes many old locks and keys. It even has some cool items related to the famous escape artist, Harry Houdini!
- Buxton's Past in Pictures: Look through old photographs and items that show what life was like in Buxton long ago.
- Artistic Creations: The museum has a collection of beautiful art, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. You can see paintings and prints by artists like Sir Frank Brangwyn and Marc Chagall.
Rocks, Minerals, and More
- Derbyshire's Gems: See local minerals, including the unique Blue John stone. There are also carved limestone pieces and cave deposits.
- Ashford Black Marble: In 2006, the museum bought a rare collection of items made from Ashford Black Marble. You can also see the tools used to create these beautiful pieces.
- Police History: The museum also helps manage a collection related to the Derbyshire Police.
Explore the Galleries
The museum has special rooms where you can dive deeper into history:
Boyd Dawkins Study
This gallery is a recreation of Sir William Boyd Dawkins's study. It's like stepping back in time to the Victorian age! You can see his furniture, scientific tools, books, and even his fossil collection.
Wonders of the Peak Gallery
This gallery was updated in 2017. It takes you on a journey through the history of the Peak District, from ancient times right up to today. It's a great way to understand how the landscape and life in the Peak District have changed over millions of years.
Temporary Exhibitions
The museum also has two galleries that change regularly. Here, you can see new art shows or special displays from the museum's own collections.
Returning Ancient Treasures
The museum has worked on an important project to return some old items to their original owners. They have sent artefacts back to the Haida Gwaii and the Siksika Nation peoples, respecting their cultural heritage.
See also
