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Warrington Museum & Art Gallery facts for kids
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery | |
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![]() Entrance to museum
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Location | Bold Street, Warrington, Cheshire, England |
OS grid reference | SJ 604 880 |
Built | 1855–57 |
Built for | Warrington Corporation |
Architect | John Dobson |
Governing body | Culture Warrington |
Listed Building – Grade II
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Designated | 4 April 1975 |
Reference no. | 1161270 |
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The Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is a super cool place to visit in Warrington, England. It's located on Bold Street in the town's Cultural Quarter. This museum is special because it's in a Grade II listed building. This means the building is old and important, so it's protected. It shares its home with the town's Central Library.
The museum and library first opened way back in 1848. It was actually the very first library in the UK to be supported by local taxes! They moved to their current building in 1858. Later, art galleries were added in 1877 and 1931. Today, Culture Warrington runs the museum. It's one of the oldest public museums in the whole United Kingdom, and it still has much of its original charm.
Contents
Building Design and History
The museum and art gallery building was constructed between 1855 and 1857. It was designed by an architect named John Dobson. The building is made from brick and stone and has two main floors.
It became a Grade II listed building on April 4, 1975. This listing helps make sure that this historic building is kept safe and preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Amazing Collections to Explore
The museum started with a collection from the Warrington Natural History Society. But it has grown a lot since then! Now, it has all sorts of interesting things. You can find items about different cultures, ancient Egypt, rocks and minerals, and even Roman Britain.
There are also collections of pottery, plants, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. You can learn about the English Civil War, local industries, birds, and mammals. Plus, there's a fantastic collection of glass items.
Art Gallery Highlights
The building also holds about 1,000 paintings. These include oil paintings, watercolours, and prints from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these artworks are on display in the mezzanine Art Gallery on the second floor.
One very famous painting in the collection is Between The Tides. It was painted in 1901 by Walter Langley and the museum got it in 1966.
Temporary Exhibitions
On the first floor, there are two special galleries. These often show exciting traveling exhibitions. They also feature artwork by local artists and display projects related to the community. This means there's always something new to see!
The Warrington Seal
One exhibit that many people love is the Warrington seal. This seal was found in Paddington Lock in 1908. It was then given to the museum. In 1999, a taxidermist named James Dickinson fixed up the display. He even gave the seal new whiskers that he found from an old tiger!
Ancient Egyptian Mummy
Since 1885, the museum has been home to a real mummy! It's the mummy of an Egyptian male teenager. This ancient artifact gives visitors a glimpse into life in ancient Egypt.
See also
- Listed buildings in Warrington (unparished area)
- List of museums in Cheshire