Museum of Royal Worcester facts for kids
The Museum of Royal Worcester is a special place in Worcester, England. It used to be called the Worcester Porcelain Museum or the Dyson Perrins Museum. This museum is all about ceramics, which are things made from clay and then fired, like pottery or fine china. It's located where the famous Royal Worcester porcelain factory used to be.
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What You'll Find at the Museum
This museum has the biggest collection of Worcester porcelain in the world. Porcelain is a type of very fine, delicate china. The items in the museum go all the way back to 1751!
You can explore different galleries, like the Victorian gallery. The museum also keeps old records and information about how the factory made its beautiful pieces. This makes it a great place to learn about the history of Worcester porcelain.
The Royal Worcester factory closed down in 2009. Now, the museum is the only part of the original factory that remains open at the Severn Street site in Worcester. Other parts, like the visitor center and shop, closed when the factory did.
The museum was once named after Charles William Dyson Perrins. He was famous for his family's Worcestershire sauce. The museum's collection includes items made from when porcelain first started being made in Worcester in 1751, right up until the factory closed. The Dyson Perrins Museum Trust owns and runs the museum.
Exploring the Collections
The museum's collection is shown in three main areas. These are the Georgian Gallery, the Victorian Gallery, and the Twentieth Century Gallery. There are more than 10,000 objects to see, all made between 1751 and 2009.
Georgian Gallery: Early Designs
The oldest items date back to the 1700s, known as the Georgian era. Back then, many shapes and patterns for porcelain were copied from designs in the Far East. These beautiful items were mostly used in the homes of very rich people.
In the first gallery, you can see a room set up like it would have been in the 1700s. There's an old long case clock and a table ready for dessert. You can also spot three hexagonal vases on the fireplace mantelpiece, just like you might have seen in a gentleman's home long ago.
Victorian Gallery: Rich Colors and Craftsmanship
The Victorian gallery is very different. It has deep, rich colors and amazing, fancy display pieces. You can see incredible craftsmanship from the Victorian era (the 1800s). This section shows how travel to other countries influenced the designs.
During the Industrial Revolution, new machines made it easier to produce things. This meant that more people could afford to buy these beautiful works of art.
Twentieth Century Gallery: Modern Life
The museum tour finishes in the 1900s, or the 20th century. During this time, the factory still made special, custom-ordered items for private customers. But lifestyles were changing, and new inventions like freezers and microwave ovens meant people needed different kinds of products for their homes.
You can listen to an audio tour as you walk through the museum. Famous experts like Henry Sandon and Lars Tharp helped create it. The tour helps you understand the history, the amazing technical skills involved, the workers who made and decorated the porcelain, and the people who bought it.
Visiting the Museum
The Museum of Royal Worcester makes sure everyone can visit.
Access for All Visitors
The museum has full wheelchair access throughout all the galleries. There are two lifts to help you move between floors and a special toilet for disabled visitors. If you need a wheelchair, you can borrow one at the museum. If you have a blue badge for parking, you can park on Severn Street outside the museum for up to three hours.
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