Castle Cary and District Museum facts for kids
Market House
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Castle Cary, Somerset, England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Local museum |
The Castle Cary and District Museum is a small and interesting local museum located in the town of Castle Cary, Somerset, England. It's a great place to discover the history and local stories of the area.
Contents
The Museum Building
The museum is housed in a special building called the Market House. This building was constructed in 1855. It was built because people expected more trade when the railway arrived in 1856. F.C. Penrose designed the building.
The Market House replaced an older building that had been there since 1616. Some parts of the older building were used in the new one. Inside the Market House, you can also find two old prison cells. There is also an Information Centre for visitors.
What Can You See Inside?
The museum has many different exhibits spread across two floors. These exhibits tell the story of Castle Cary and its surroundings.
Ancient Finds: Fossils!
One exciting part of the museum is the collection of local fossils. You can see ancient sea creatures like ammonites. There is also a display about a huge Ichthyosaurus skeleton. This amazing fossil was found nearby in Alford.
Local History: Ropes and Farming
The museum also shows what life was like for people working in the area. You can learn about local industries like making rope and hemp. Companies like John Boyd Textiles and Donne & Sons were famous rope makers. They worked in the town from 1797 until the 1960s.
There are also displays about farming. You can see old tools and equipment used by farmers. The museum also explains the geology of the local area. This means you can learn about the different rocks and land formations.
Castle Cary's Own Castle
The museum provides information about Cary Castle. This was a type of castle called a motte and bailey castle. It was built after the Norman Conquest. It might have been built by Walter of Douai or by the Perceval family.
Cary Castle faced attacks, or sieges, twice. King Stephen attacked it in 1138. It was attacked again in 1153. By 1468, the castle was no longer used. A manor house was built next to it instead. In 1890, people dug up the site. They found the foundations of a large square tower, about 24 meters (79 feet) wide.
A Glimpse into the Past: James Woodforde's Diary
One room in the museum is dedicated to Parson James Woodforde. He was born in 1740 in nearby Ansford. He later became a church leader in Thurloxton and then Norfolk.
For almost 45 years, James Woodforde kept a diary. His diary recorded his everyday life. It wasn't full of exciting adventures. Instead, it showed the normal routines and worries of people in rural England during the 1700s. His diary gives us a unique look into the past.
