Chard Museum facts for kids
The museum building
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| Established | 1970 |
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| Location | Godworthy House, Chard, Somerset, England, United Kingdom |
| Type | Local museum |
Chard Museum is a small, interesting museum located in Chard, Somerset, England. It first opened its doors in 1970. The museum is set inside a very old building from the 1500s. It shows off many cool items about the history of Chard and the lives of important people from the area.
Discovering Chard's Past
The story of the museum's collection began a long time ago, around 1880. A man named Arthur Hull loved collecting unusual and interesting objects. He gathered many "curiosities" from the local area.
How the Collection Grew
Arthur Hull decided to leave his special collection to the town of Chard. In 1917, these items were moved to the Museum of Somerset in Taunton. But don't worry, they came back home! In 1970, when Chard Museum opened, these original items returned to be displayed for everyone to see.
The Museum's Historic Home
The building where Chard Museum is located is very old and special. It was built in the 1500s and originally consisted of four small cottages. It has a unique thatched roof, which means the roof is made from straw or reeds. In 1970, this old building was carefully fixed up and changed into the museum we see today. Later, the building next door, which used to be a pub called the New Inn, also became part of the museum.
What You Can See at Chard Museum
The museum has many exciting exhibits that tell the story of Chard and the surrounding area. You can learn about the local rocks and land, and even about a big fire that happened in 1577.
Key Historical Events
The museum also covers important historical events like the Monmouth Rebellion. This was a famous uprising that happened in England a long time ago. You can also discover the history of local lace mills, which were factories where beautiful lace was made.
Outside Displays
Outside the museum, there's even more to explore! You can see a real blacksmith's forge, which is where a blacksmith heats and shapes metal. There are also displays of old farm machinery, showing how farming was done in the past.
Famous People from Chard
Chard Museum also celebrates the lives of amazing people who had connections to the town.
John Stringfellow and Early Flight
Did you know that the first powered flight might have happened in Chard? In 1848, John Stringfellow and another local man, William Samuel Henson, achieved something incredible. They flew a steam-powered machine inside an old lace factory! This flying machine was 10 feet (about 3 meters) long.
James Gillingham and Artificial Limbs
James Gillingham was a shoemaker in Chard who became a pioneer in making artificial limbs. He saw a man who had lost his arm in an accident and wanted to help. James Gillingham developed special artificial limbs that could move, like real body parts. The museum has a display that looks like his old consulting room, and you can see examples of the artificial limbs he created.
Samuel Vickery, a War Hero
The museum also honors Corporal Samuel Vickery. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, which is a very brave award, in 1897. He received it for his courageous actions during a battle called the attack on the Dargai Heights in India. This happened during the Tirah Campaign.
Margaret Bondfield, a Political Pioneer
Another important person featured is Margaret Bondfield. She was an English politician and a strong supporter of women's rights. She made history by becoming the first woman Cabinet minister in the United Kingdom. She was also a member of the Congregational church.
