Jewry Wall Museum facts for kids
The Jewry Wall Museum is a cool museum in Leicester, England. It stands right next to the ancient Jewry Wall ruins. This museum is home to amazing objects from the Iron Age, Roman times, and the medieval period in Leicester. Some of its most famous items include the Cyparissus Pavement, the Blackfriars Pavement, and the Thurmaston Milestone. The museum re-opened in July 2025 after big improvements.
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Exploring Leicester's Roman Past
The area around the Jewry Wall was once part of a large Roman bath house. Between 1936 and 1939, an archaeologist named Kathleen Kenyon led excavations here. Her team dug deep and found the foundations of these ancient Roman baths.
After World War II, a new road was built. This meant a new building was needed for Vaughan College, a place for adult learning. It was decided that this new building would also include a museum. This museum would display all the Roman and medieval treasures found in Leicester.
About the Museum Building
The museum building was finished in 1962. It is a special building, protected for its history and design. Until 2013, the museum was on the ground floor, sharing the building with Leicester University's adult learning programs. The building was designed by Trevor Dannatt.
The museum is managed by Leicester City Council. For many years, it was free to visit. However, to save money, the museum's opening hours were sometimes reduced. A group called the "Friends of Jewry Wall Museum" was formed to help promote and support the museum.
In 2011, there were plans to close the museum completely. But many people in the city wanted it to stay open. Thanks to efforts from local councillors and the community, the decision to close it was changed.
Exciting New Changes and Expansion
The University of Leicester used to own the museum building. In 2013, the university decided to sell it. In 2016, Leicester City Council bought the building. This was great news for the museum!
The council started plans to make the museum much bigger and better. They wanted to use both floors of the building. This would allow more space to display the many Roman objects found in Leicester. Over the years, lots of new Roman artifacts have been discovered as new buildings were constructed in the city.
The museum closed in 2017 for these major renovations. Work began in 2021. There were some delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and building issues. But the museum finally re-opened in July 2025. The new and improved museum now charges an entrance fee. This helps cover the cost of the amazing renovations.
Amazing Things to See
The Jewry Wall Museum has many incredible artifacts. These items tell the story of Leicester's past, from ancient times to the medieval period.
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Mosaic of Cyparissus
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The Blackfriars Roman Pavement
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The Norfolk Street Roman Wall Paintings
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The Thurmaston Milestone
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Tiles from Leicester Abbey
