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Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Chesterfield Museum
View of the museum building.
Chesterfield - Holywell Street view towards Museum - geograph.org.uk - 309732
Looking along Holywell Street towards the museum.

The Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery is a cool place in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. It's both a local museum and an art gallery. This means you can learn about the town's history and see amazing artworks all in one spot!

The museum is inside a building called the Stephenson Memorial Hall. This hall was named after George Stephenson, a famous British railway pioneer. The museum even has some items connected to him and his family. You can find the museum right across from the Church of St Mary and All Saints. This church is super famous for its "Crooked Spire"!

The museum first opened its doors in 1994. It takes you on a journey through Chesterfield's past. You can discover how the town started as a Roman fort and see how it grew over time. The Stephenson Memorial Hall itself is quite old, built way back in 1879. It was first a "mechanics institute," a place where working people could learn and study. Later, it became the town's public library before the museum moved in.

The Chesterfield Borough Council owns and runs the Chesterfield Museum. They make sure it's a great place for everyone to visit and learn.

What You Can See

The museum is packed with interesting things! You can explore different parts of Chesterfield's history. From ancient Roman times to more recent days, there's always something new to discover.

Roman Chesterfield

Long, long ago, the Romans built a fort where Chesterfield is now. The museum shows you what life was like back then. You can see artifacts that Roman soldiers and settlers used every day. It helps you imagine how the town began.

Medieval Times

After the Romans, Chesterfield grew into a busy market town. The museum has exhibits about the medieval period. You can learn about the people who lived here centuries ago. Discover how they worked, traded, and built the town we know today.

The Crooked Spire

One of Chesterfield's most famous landmarks is the Crooked Spire. It belongs to the Church of St Mary and All Saints. The museum explains why the spire looks so unique. It's a fun mystery to learn about!

George Stephenson's Legacy

Since the museum is in the Stephenson Memorial Hall, it celebrates George Stephenson. He was a very important person in railway history. The museum has a small collection of items linked to him. You can learn about his life and how he helped change travel forever.

See also

External links

  • Chesterfield Museum
  • Chesterfield Borough Council
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