Lichfield Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1981 |
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| Location | Market Square,
Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LG England |
Lichfield Museum was once a special place that explored the history of Lichfield, a city in Staffordshire, England. It used to be called the "Lichfield Heritage Centre." You could find it on the second floor of St Mary's Church, right in the heart of Lichfield's market square. Sadly, after St. Mary's Church was updated in 2018, the museum closed its doors.
The museum first opened on May 30, 1981. This happened when the old St. Mary's Church, which was built in the 1800s, was changed into a building for the community. A new second floor was created just for the museum. It was a place to show off Lichfield's history and heritage. The museum was mostly run by amazing volunteers. It was also a charity, meaning it was a non-profit group that relied on its own funds.
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What Could You See at Lichfield Museum?
The museum had many interesting things to explore. It was a great way to learn about Lichfield's past.
Discovering Lichfield's Treasures
One exciting part was the treasury exhibition. Here, you could see beautiful chalices, goblets, and centerpieces. These special items came from the city, the Diocese of Lichfield (a church area), and even The Staffordshire Regiment (a local army group).
The museum also had the Lichfield Heritage Collection. This huge collection included over 6,000 photographs. There were also old negatives, newspapers, reports, and leaflets. All these items helped tell the story of Lichfield over the last 150 years.
Ancient Documents and City Charters
There was a special room called the muniment room. This room held some of the oldest items in the museum. You could see the city's ancient charters here. Charters are important official documents that give rights or powers. The oldest one was from Queen Mary in 1553. Many others followed, right up to Elizabeth II.
The oldest document on display was the Guild Book of St Mary's Guild. This book covered the years from 1387 to 1680. It gave a peek into life in Lichfield centuries ago.
Stories from the Past: Audio-Visual Shows
The museum also offered two audio-visual presentations. These shows brought Lichfield's ancient past to life. They told stories about the building of the famous Lichfield Cathedral. You could also learn about the sieges that happened during the English Civil War.
The Amazing Staffordshire Millennium Embroideries
One of the most unique displays was the Staffordshire Millennium Embroideries. These were a stunning collection of embroidered panels. Each panel showed a different century of Staffordshire's history. They covered a thousand years, from the year 1000 to 2000.
A Gift to Staffordshire
These incredible embroideries were created by Mrs. Sylvia Everitt. She lived in Rawnsley, near Cannock. Mrs. Everitt spent five years working on these detailed pieces. It was her special gift to the people of Staffordshire to celebrate the new millennium. Before donating them, she traveled around the county. She gave talks about her amazing embroideries.
Now, these beautiful artworks are permanently displayed. They have their own special gallery at the Lichfield Museum. For her hard work, Mrs. Sylvia Everitt received an MBE award in 2002. This is a very special honor in the United Kingdom.
Exploring Beyond the Museum
The museum offered more than just indoor exhibits. You could also take tours to the very top of St Mary's spire. This spire was 158 years old! From a viewing platform 40 meters above the market square, you could see amazing views. You could look out over the entire city and the countryside around it.
On the ground floor, there was a coffee shop. It was a great place to grab a drink. There was also a gift shop where you could find souvenirs. The museum used to be open seven days a week, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
