Watford Museum facts for kids
Watford Museum (the former Benskins Brewery building)
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| Established | 14 March 1982 |
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| Location | 194 Watford High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom |
| Type | Local museum |
| Accreditation | Hertfordshire Association of Museums; Museums, Libraries and Archives Council |
| Owner | Watford Borough Council |
| Public transit access |  Watford High Street |
| Nearest car park | On site |
Watford Museum is a local museum in Watford, Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom. The Watford Borough Council owns it. You can find it on the Lower High Street in Watford.
The museum first opened in 1981. It is inside a beautiful Georgian town house. This building is very old and special, listed as Grade II. Before it was a museum, it was part of the Benskins Brewery. The museum shows off fine art and tells stories about local history. It also has displays about industries and sports in Watford. There is a special collection about the history of the Cassiobury Estate.
History of the Museum Building
The large house at 194 Watford High Street was built around 1775. It was made for the Dyson family. However, records show a brewery was already working on this spot since 1750. The house has three floors and is made of red bricks. It is built in a classic Georgian style. The front has a special triangular part called a pediment. It also has a round window in the middle. Two smaller parts were added to the sides around 1807.
In 1867, Joseph Benskin bought the house. The brewery kept making beer there for many years. Then, in 1957, another company called Ind Coope took it over. The big house later became offices. In 1952, English Heritage officially recognized it as a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical place.
The house became the Watford Museum in 1982. A famous actor and comedian from Watford, Terry Scott, officially opened it on March 14, 1982. The museum celebrated its 30th birthday in 2011. The museum closed in October 2023 to move into a newly renovated Watford Town Hall. It is expected to reopen around late 2025.
Amazing Collections
The museum has a large and important art collection. This includes the famous Cassiobury Collection. You can see artworks that used to belong to the Earl of Essex at Cassiobury House. These paintings show the Cassiobury Estate. Examples include A view of Cassiobury Park by John Wootton. There is also View of the South-West Front of Cassiobury House by J. M. W. Turner. Other paintings include Cassiobury Park Gates by Charles Vickers. An 1831 painting of the Cassiobury House Winter Dining Room by William Henry Hunt is also on display. The museum also has portraits of several Earls of Essex.
Other artworks include oil paintings from the Dutch and Flemish styles. These feature works by artists like Adam François van der Meulen and Adriaen van Ostade. You can also see paintings by Turner, Peter Lely, Ronald Pope, and Joshua Reynolds. The museum has received help from the Art Fund to buy many of these artworks. This includes paintings by Henry Edridge and John Wootton. They also acquired 21 engravings from the Illustrations of the Book of Job by William Blake.
The museum also has a collection of sculptures. These are made from materials like bronze, copper, and steel. Artists whose works are featured include Mary Bromet, Jacob Epstein, and Ronald Pope.
There are displays about the history of Watford Junction railway station. A small area is dedicated to the history of Watford Football Club. Here, you can see sports items and even a stage costume worn by the famous musician Elton John.
The museum also keeps an archive of old documents. This includes photos and diaries from Watford residents. It also has records from local government, important families, and businesses. About one-third of all the museum's items are usually on display.
Where to Find the Museum
Watford Museum is on the lower part of Watford High Street. It is about 160 meters (0.1 miles) south of the Harlequin Shopping Centre. The closest train station is Watford High Street on the London Overground line. The museum is easy to get to from the A41 and the M1 motorway. It is also near National Cycle Route 6.
