North Hertfordshire Museum facts for kids
The North Hertfordshire Museum is a cool place where you can explore the history and heritage of the local area. It's right next to the newly updated Hitchin Town Hall on Brand Street in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
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Museum History: How It Started
Have you ever wondered how a museum gets built? Back in 2004 and 2005, the local council, called North Hertfordshire District Council, looked closely at its museum services. They found that people really liked the old museums in Hitchin and Letchworth. They also liked the education programs and the collections of old artifacts and natural history items.
However, the old museum buildings weren't quite right anymore. They were a bit old-fashioned and not very efficient. So, the council decided it would be better to have one big, modern museum in a central spot.
Building a New Museum
They thought about using Hitchin Town Hall for the new museum. After studying the idea, they decided it was a great plan! The new museum was designed by a company called Buttress, and the inside layout was planned by Mather & Co.
The exciting new North Hertfordshire Museum officially opened its doors in July 2019. It brought together the best parts of the old museums into one fantastic new space.
Exploring the Galleries
The museum has three main galleries that show off its permanent collections. These are always there for you to see! There's also a special gallery for temporary exhibitions that change throughout the year.
Discovering North Herts: A Journey Through Time
This gallery takes you on an amazing journey through time. It tells the story of North Hertfordshire from millions of years ago, when the area was actually underwater! You'll learn how the land changed and how towns grew. It shows how people shaped the district into what it is today.
Living in North Herts: How People Lived
This gallery is set up a bit differently. Instead of going in order of time, it looks at different themes. You can see how people lived in the past, comparing their lives to ours. Some of the cool themes include "Living off the Land," which shows how people got their food, and "Fun and Games," which explores how they entertained themselves. You can also learn about "Making and Selling" things and the journey from "Cradle to Grave."
The Terrace Gallery: Collections and More
The Terrace Gallery also uses themes to show off its treasures. One of the most exciting parts is the Football Collection. This was the very first collection of football history in England! It was started by Vic Wayling, who was the secretary of Hitchin Town F.C., way back in 1956. Later, it moved to the old Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery in the 1980s.
You'll also find a special display called "Collecting the World." This case shows amazing objects from every single continent! It's like a mini-world tour right inside the museum.
The Exhibition Gallery: New Discoveries
This gallery is always changing! It's used to show temporary exhibitions. This means there's always something new and exciting to see when you visit the museum.
See also
