Wakefield Museum facts for kids
The Wakefield Museum is a fun place to learn about the history of Wakefield, a city in West Yorkshire, England. It shows how the city and the area around it have changed over many, many years, starting from ancient times.
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Discovering Wakefield Museum's History
Where the Museum Started
For many years, starting in 1955, the Wakefield Museum was located in an old building called the Wakefield Mechanics' Institute. This building was built a long time ago in the 1800s.
Moving to a New Home
In 2013, the museum moved to a brand new building called Wakefield One. This is a modern civic building in the city. Sir David Attenborough, a famous nature expert, officially opened the new museum in March 2013.
What You Can See at Wakefield Museum
Exploring Wakefield's Story
The museum tells the exciting story of Wakefield. You can learn about the old Manor of Wakefield from the Tudor period. It also covers the history of the West Yorkshire Police Headquarters. You can even find out about the local rugby team, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. The museum also shares information about the historic Battle of Wakefield.
Meet Charles Waterton: A Nature Hero
One special part of the museum is all about Charles Waterton. He was a Victorian explorer and a very early environmentalist from Yorkshire. He created a nature park at his home, Walton Hall, near Wakefield. Many people think this was one of the first nature parks in Europe!
Waterton's Amazing Animal Collection
You can see Waterton's collection of preserved animals. Some of these animals are quite unique, as he sometimes put different animal parts together. A very famous item is the caiman (a type of crocodile) that Waterton once rode ashore in South America! This caiman is displayed under the floor, so you can look up at it. This special collection was on loan from Stonyhurst College to the museum until the end of 2022.
Other Cool Exhibits
The museum has many other interesting things to see. You can find an old post box from 1809. Many believe it is the oldest one still existing in Britain. There is also a pair of boots that belonged to Rugby league player, Don Fox. Another cool item is a medieval posy ring found at Sandal Castle.
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