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 local museum located in Chard, Somerset, England. It first opened in 1970. The museum is housed in a very old building from the 1500s. It shows off collections about local history. You can also learn about important people from the area.
Discovering Chard's Past
Chard Museum helps visitors explore the history of the town. It also covers the surrounding local area. The museum's collection began a long time ago.
How the Museum Started
The museum's collection started around 1880. A man named Arthur Hull collected many interesting "curiosities." He later gave these items to the town. In 1917, they moved to the Museum of Somerset in Taunton. Finally, in 1970, they returned to the new Chard Museum.
The Museum Building's Story
The museum is in a building that is over 400 years old. It was built in the 1500s. This building originally had a thatched roof. It was once four separate cottages. In 1970, the building was fixed up to become the museum. Later, the museum expanded into the building next door. This building used to be a pub called the New Inn.
What You Can See at Chard Museum
The museum has many different exhibits. They tell the story of Chard and its local area.
Exploring Local History
You can learn about the geology of the area. There are displays about the great fire of 1577. This fire caused a lot of damage in Chard. The museum also covers events like the Monmouth Rebellion. You can also see how local lace mills used to work.
Outdoor Displays and Workshops
Outside the museum, there is a blacksmith's forge. This is where a blacksmith would shape metal with heat and tools. You can also see old farm machinery. These machines show how farming was done in the past.
Famous People from Chard
The museum also highlights people who had a big impact. These individuals had strong connections to the town.
John Stringfellow: A Pioneer of Flight
John Stringfellow was a local inventor. In 1848, he achieved something amazing. With another local man, William Samuel Henson, he made the first powered flight. This happened in an old lace factory. Their flying machine was 10 feet (3 meters) long. It was powered by steam.
James Gillingham: Helping People Walk Again
James Gillingham was a shoemaker in Chard. He saw a man who had lost his arm. This inspired James to create something new. He became a pioneer in making artificial limbs. These were special limbs that could move. The museum has a display showing his consulting room. You can see examples of his artificial limbs there.
Samuel Vickery: A War Hero
Corporal Samuel Vickery was a brave soldier. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 1897. The VC is the highest award for bravery in the British military. He earned it for his actions during a battle. This happened at the Dargai Heights in India. It was during the Tirah Campaign.
Margaret Bondfield: A Trailblazing Politician
Margaret Bondfield was an important English politician. She was part of the Labour Party. She was also a feminist. This means she supported equal rights for women. Margaret Bondfield made history. She was the first woman to become a Cabinet minister in the United Kingdom. She was also a member of the Congregational Church.
