River and Rowing Museum facts for kids
View of the museum from the car park
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| Established | 1998 |
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| Location | Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, England |
| Type | Local and sports museum |
| Collections | Rowing, River Thames, Henley-on-Thames |
| Founder | David Lunn-Rockliffe |
| Architect | Sir David Chipperfield |
| Historian | Chris Dodd |
| Nearest parking | Own car park |
The River & Rowing Museum is in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. It sits right by the River Thames at Mill Meadows. This museum focuses on three main topics. These are the non-tidal part of the River Thames, the exciting sport of rowing, and the history of the local town of Henley-on-Thames.
Contents
Museum History and Awards
The idea for the museum mostly came from David Lunn-Rockliffe. He used to be a leader for the Amateur Rowing Association. The museum building was designed by a famous architect named Sir David Chipperfield. The building itself has won many awards. These include the Royal Fine Art Commission Building of the Year award in 1999. It was also named the UK National Heritage Museum of the Year in 1999.
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the museum in November 1998. Many people and groups helped pay for the museum. In 2004, a special The Wind in the Willows area was added for families. This area lets you walk through scenes from the 1908 Kenneth Grahame book. It uses models, sets, and an audio-guide to bring the story to life.
In 2006, the museum made its Rowing Gallery even better. It is now called the Schwarzenbach International Rowing Gallery. This gallery shares the story of rowing from its very first days in ancient Greece. It also covers modern events like the Olympics. You can learn about the Oxford versus Cambridge Boat Race and how boats are built. There is even an interactive exhibit called In the Cox's Seat. Here, you can sit in a rowing boat and feel what it is like to race at Henley Royal Regatta.
Main Themes of the Museum
The River & Rowing Museum explores four main themes. These are shown through different exhibits and events.
- The past, present, and future of the River Thames.
- The history of the riverside town of Henley on Thames.
- The international sport of rowing.
- The classic children's story, The Wind in the Willows.
Explore the Galleries
The Wind in the Willows Gallery
The The Wind in the Willows exhibition is a permanent part of the museum. It brings characters like Mr Toad, Ratty, Badger, and Mole to life. The story is set on the banks of the River Thames. The creatures and landscapes of the river inspired the original book.
The exhibition uses 3-D models based on E.H. Shepard's original drawings. Shepard explored the meadows and river around nearby Pangbourne to find ideas for his pictures. The exhibition follows the book's story. It uses special lights and sounds to make you feel like you are part of the world of The Wind in the Willows. You can also use interactive exhibits and audio guides to learn more.
Thames Gallery
The Thames Gallery is the biggest permanent gallery at the museum. It tells the story of the River Thames from where it starts to where it meets the sea. The River Thames is very important to life in the Thames Valley and all of England. This gallery shows many different sides of the river. It looks at how the river has inspired art and how it is a home for wildlife. It also shows how people use the river for fun and for trade.
The gallery uses music, art, photos, and real objects. It also has boats and stories from people who live by the river. You can take a journey from the river's start at Kemble to the Thames Barrier. Exhibits show the river's history and its importance to people. Interactive displays teach you about how the river is managed and where our water comes from.
Some things you can explore in the Thames Gallery include:
- The journey from the hidden source of the river to the sea.
- Paintings of the Thames in the gallery and on screens.
- The amazing wildlife and tiny creatures that live in and by the river.
- Music, poems, and books inspired by the Thames.
- The skill of boat builders, from old log boats to modern skiffs.
- How the Thames has been managed over many years.
- The importance of weirs, locks, and bridges.
- Stories told by people who live in riverside communities.
Schwarzenbach International Rowing Gallery
At the entrance, there is a modern painting called Gollon At Henley. It was painted by Chris Gollon in 2008. The painting shows a rowing team after they have lost a race at Henley Royal Regatta. Inside the gallery, you will learn about international rowing. You can even experience what it feels like to compete on the water.
Rowing is one of the oldest sports in the world. This gallery tells its story in great detail. You can see many objects that have never been shown before. There are also videos of races and interactive exhibits.
Some of the sections in this gallery include:
- Six communities that used oars for their jobs.
- A 360-degree view of a race at the Henley Royal Regatta.
- How rowing has been done around the world for centuries.
- Famous races at the Olympics and the Boat Race.
- Stories of professional rowers, who were like sports stars in their time.
- Coaches and boat builders who helped champions succeed.
- Racing boats that show 200 years of design changes.
Invesco Perpetual Henley Gallery
The Invesco Perpetual Henley Gallery tells the story of the town of Henley-on-Thames. This town grew up by the river. You can learn about its industries, arts, and even its role in the English Civil War. An interactive screen lets you take a virtual tour of Henley's streets. You can travel back in time to when the town started. See how it has changed and how it became famous for rowing.
The museum bought a collection of Iron Age coins in 2009. There are 32 gold coins from around 50 AD. They were found in Henley in 2003. This is the only collection of British-made Iron Age coins from Oxfordshire that is still complete. The River & Rowing Museum and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford bought them together.
Henley started in the 12th century. Its spot by the river made it a good port. It was used to ship wood, grain, and firewood to the growing city of London. From then on, the town's success was linked to the river and transport. Boats, stagecoaches, trains, and cars have all brought goods and people to Henley for business and fun.
The Henley Royal Regatta has made Henley-on-Thames a world-famous center for rowing. It started in 1839 and got royal support in 1851. The Regatta brings together top international rowers. It is also a well-known event in the English social calendar. You can watch films in the gallery showing town and Regatta celebrations since 1899.
A painting called Henley from the Wargrave Road has its own room next to the Henley Gallery. It was painted in 1698 by the Dutch artist Jan Siberechts. This painting is a masterpiece that shows the many different parts of life in the town and countryside. It is one of many English landscapes by Siberechts. The painting shows social history, river trade, farming, and how society was organized. It also shows a view of the town that is still familiar today.
Special Exhibitions
The Treasures Gallery, Sir Graham Kirkham Gallery, and The Wall are places for special exhibitions. These exhibitions change throughout the year. The museum plans its exhibitions around its main themes. Some exhibitions are great for families, while others are more for experts. Topics can include big events, anniversaries, art, crafts, or deep dives into specific subjects.
