Museum of Chelmsford facts for kids
Oaklands House
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1930 |
|---|---|
| Location | Oaklands House, Chelmsford, |
| Type | Local history and industrial heritage |
The Museum of Chelmsford is a cool place to visit in Chelmsford, Essex. It's located in a historic building called Oaklands House. This house is so special that it's officially protected as a 'Grade II Listed building,' meaning it's an important part of history! The museum helps you discover the story of Chelmsford, from ancient times to today.
Contents
Discovering Oaklands House
Oaklands House is where the Museum of Chelmsford is located. A man named Charles Pertwee designed the house. It was built for Frederick Wells, who was in charge of the Chelmsford Brewery. The house was finished by 1865. It had a fancy bell tower, which is called a campanile. During the First World War, the house was used as a hospital. Since 1930, this amazing building has been home to the Museum of Chelmsford.
What You Can See: Museum Collections
The Museum of Chelmsford is all about the local history and industrial heritage of the area. In January 2010, the museum opened a big new extension. This expansion cost about £5 million! Now, the museum has many exciting exhibits and interactive displays.
Engineering Pioneers and Town History
You can learn about famous engineers like R.E.B. Crompton and Guglielmo Marconi. Marconi was a pioneer in radio technology. The museum also shows how Hoffmann Ball Bearings helped industry. You can also explore how Chelmsford grew from prehistoric times to the modern day.
Art and Pottery Collections
The museum has a collection of beautiful art. It includes works by artists connected to Chelmsford. Some of these artists are Alfred Bennett Bamford, Doris Boulton-Maude, and Richard Spare. The museum also displays pottery, including special Castle Hedingham ware. You can even see pottery made by Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry.
Essex Regiment and Yeomanry Museum
Inside Oaklands House, you'll also find the Museum of the Essex Regiment and the Essex Yeomanry. This part of the museum tells the story of these military groups.
Special Military Highlights
One exciting item is a French Imperial Eagle. This eagle was captured by the 2nd Battalion of the 44th Regiment of Foot. They took it from the French 62nd Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne. This happened during the Battle of Salamanca in 1812. Another important piece is a painting called The Last Stand of the 44th Regiment at Gundamuck. This painting by William Barnes Wollen shows a brave moment. It depicts the 1842 retreat from Kabul in Afghanistan.
