Somerset Cricket Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1989 |
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| Location | Taunton, Somerset, England |
The Somerset Cricket Museum is a cool place in Taunton, Somerset, England. It's a small museum that shows off the exciting history of cricket. A big part of its collection focuses on the story of the Somerset County Cricket Club.
Contents
The Museum Building
The museum is located inside a very old building called the Old Priory Barn. This barn is special because it's a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a really important historical building that needs to be protected.
A Look at the Old Priory Barn
The Old Priory Barn is the only building left from the old Augustinian Taunton Priory. This priory was like a monastery and was started around the year 1115. Some people think the barn wasn't always a barn. It might have been a guesthouse or a place for a priory official.
The building is made from local stone. It has been repaired with red bricks over the years. The roof is covered with tiles and has strong wooden beams inside. The doors and windows are made from a special stone from Bishops Lydeard.
How Old is the Barn?
Experts aren't completely sure about the exact age of the building. Many believe it was built in the late 1400s or early 1500s. It likely replaced an even older building from the 1200s or 1300s that was on the same spot. The barn was even used as a chapel by Frenchmen a long time ago!
History of the Museum
The Old Priory Barn became available in 1979. The Somerset County Cricket Club couldn't afford to buy it then. So, the Somerset CCC Supporters Club stepped in and bought it instead!
Bringing the Museum to Life
For the next ten years, the Supporters Club worked hard to fix up the old barn. They restored it carefully, making sure it was ready for visitors. In April 1989, the Somerset Cricket Museum officially opened its doors to the public.
What You Can See Inside
The museum has lots of interesting things to see. Most of the exhibits tell the story of the Somerset County Cricket Club. You can learn about famous players who played for the club.
Famous Cricket Players and Teams
You'll find displays about amazing Test match players. These include legends like Ian Botham and Marcus Trescothick. The museum also has a special section dedicated to the England women's cricket team. This is because the County Ground, where the museum is, is their main home base.
Other Cricket Treasures
The museum also has a collection of items from a cricket club called I Zingari. This club has a long history, and some people connected to the Somerset club have family ties to it.
