Stamford Museum facts for kids
The former Stamford Museum, pictured in September 2009
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| Location | Broad Street, Stamford |
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| Collection size | Stamford ware, Bull running |
Stamford Museum was a cool place in Stamford, a historic town in Lincolnshire, Great Britain. It was inside a beautiful old Victorian building on Broad Street. The museum was managed by Lincolnshire County Council from 1980 until it closed in 2011.
Contents
The Museum's Historic Home
The building where Stamford Museum was located has a long history! It was built in 1895. Originally, it was a technical school. You can still see "School of Art" and the town's crest carved above its main door.
Building Materials and Design
This special building is made from a type of stone called oolitic limestone. A local architect named John Charles Traylen designed it. The museum moved into this building in 1980. Before that, it was in the town's library on High Street, where it first opened in 1961.
Stamford: A Town Full of History
Stamford itself is a very old town. It was even around during Anglo-Saxon and Viking times! In 1967, Stamford became England's first Conservation Area. This means its historic buildings and unique character are protected. You can still see five medieval churches and a 15th-century almshouse, along with many other old buildings.
What You Could See: The Museum's Collections
The museum helped people learn about Stamford's past. It showed off interesting things like Stamford Ware Pottery. This pottery was made in Stamford a long time ago. You could also learn about Daniel Lambert, a famous person from the 18th century known for being very large.
Special Exhibits and Artifacts
Some of the most important items included a Blackstone oil engine. There was also the only known piece of the Stamford Eleanor Cross. These crosses were built by King Edward I to mark places where his wife's coffin rested.
Galleries and the Stamford Tapestry
Upstairs, there were permanent displays about the town's archaeology. This means they showed things found from digging up old sites. There were also exhibits on the social history of Stamford. Downstairs, the museum often had new, temporary exhibitions. A very special item on display was the Stamford Tapestry. It took 17 years to make! It was put up in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium.
Research and Local Information
The museum also had a large collection of research materials. You could look at these by making an appointment. This collection included many photographs and files about local people, places, and events.
Why the Museum Closed
In June 2010, it was announced that Stamford Museum would close. This was because Lincolnshire County Council had to make budget cuts. Even though many local people didn't want it to close, the museum shut its doors on June 30, 2011.
What Happened to the Exhibits?
Some of the museum's old exhibits found a new home. They were moved to the "Discover Stamford" area at the town's library. This way, people can still learn about Stamford's history.
The Building Today
Since 2015, the old museum building has been leased by Wildcats Theatre School. Now, it's a place where young people can learn about theater!
External links
- "Discover Stamford" on Lincolnshire County Council website
