Richmondshire Museum facts for kids

The Richmondshire Museum is a super interesting place to visit in Richmond, a town in North Yorkshire, England. It's a museum where you can discover lots of cool things about the local area!

The museum started thanks to a group called the Soroptimists of Richmond and the Dales. They formed the Museum Trust in 1974. The museum first opened its doors in 1978 in what used to be a workshop. Since then, it has grown and collected many amazing items.

Exploring the Museum's Collections

The Richmondshire Museum is packed with exciting exhibits. You can travel back in time and see how people lived and worked.

Step Inside a Cruck House

One special part of the museum is a rebuilt cruck house. This is a type of old building with a unique wooden frame. Inside, you'll find "bygones," which are everyday items from the past. It shows you what homes were like long ago.

Discover the Leadmining Story

The Leadmining Gallery tells the story of lead mining. This was a very important industry in places like Swaledale and the North Yorkshire Dales. It was a big part of the local economy until the late 1800s.

Travel Through Time with Transport

In the Transport Gallery, you can see a cool model of the old Richmond Railway Station. It helps you imagine what train travel was like in the past.

Famous TV Sets and Old Shops

Another room has a special display called the Herriot Set. This is from the BBC TV show All Creatures Great and Small. You can also explore Barker's Chemist's Shop, which looks just like an old pharmacy.

The Wenham Gallery teaches you all about the history of Richmond and the surrounding area. It's full of facts and stories.

In 2008, the museum added a recreated grocer's shop. This shop is special because the person who started the famous Fenwick department store chain began his career there. Right next to it, you can see a recreated ironmonger's shop. The museum also has the old post office from nearby Grinton.

Fun at the Discovery Centre

The museum has a special place called the Discovery Centre. It's designed just for schools and families! Here, you can dress up in old clothes and play with toys from the past.

The Discovery Centre also hosts Wednesday Workshops. These are free activity sessions for families. They are a great way to learn and have fun at the museum.

External links

• Museum website