The Museum of the Broads facts for kids
The Museum of the Broads is a special place in Stalham, Norfolk, England. It's like a registered charity, meaning it helps the community. The museum's main goal is to "bring the story of the Broads alive."
The Norfolk Broads are a cool network of rivers and lakes. You can mostly sail or boat on them. They are found in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Explore the Museum of the Broads!
The museum is open every year from Easter until the end of October. It covers many things about the Broads. You can learn about the landscape and local industries. It also teaches you about wildlife, the people who live there, and holidays. Of course, there are lots of boats too!
Discover What's Inside!
The museum has a huge collection of interesting items. You can see many different boats and boat models. There are also tools used for working in the marshy areas. You can look at old boat plans, paintings, and books. The museum also has lots of photographs and postcards. You'll find items about wildlife and the history of people in the area.
One amazing boat is their Victorian steam launch called 'Falcon'. It was built way back in 1894! Visitors can even take a ride on 'Falcon' to experience the Broads from the water.
The museum also shares the work of a scientist named Joyce Lambert. In the 1950s, she proved something very important. She showed that the lakes and landscape of the Broads were actually made by people, not by nature.
How the Museum Started
The Museum of the Broads first opened its doors in Potter Heigham in 1996. A few years later, in 1999, it moved to its current spot. This new home is at the Poor's Staithe in Stalham.
Many people help the museum run smoothly. A special person called Henry Cator OBE DL is their Patron. A group of trustees manages the museum. Most of the people who work there are volunteers. These kind helpers give their time for free! The museum is very popular, attracting over 8,000 visitors every year.