West Berkshire Museum facts for kids
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West Berkshire Museum (The Granary) in 2011, prior to renovation
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| Established | 26 October 1904 |
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| Location | Newbury, Berkshire |
| Collection size | 38,000 |
The West Berkshire Museum is a cool place in Newbury, Berkshire. It has lots of amazing art and collections that tell the story of Newbury and West Berkshire. The museum opened in 1904 and is located in two very old and important buildings in Newbury.
One of these buildings is the Cloth Hall, built way back in 1627! It was built by Richard Emmes, a skilled carpenter, to be a factory for making cloth. Over the years, this building was used for many different things. It was a workhouse, a hospital, and even a school. Later, it stored corn before becoming part of the museum.
Contents
What You Can Find Inside
The museum has several exciting areas for visitors.
- You can explore the exhibition galleries.
- There's a cozy café where you can grab a snack.
- You can also find a local history library.
- There's even a conference room that people can rent.
Discover West Berkshire's Story
One main exhibition tells the whole story of West Berkshire. It starts with the very old geology of the area. Then, it shares stories about the people who have lived here for a long time. You can learn about early ancestors and famous people like Jack O'Newbury.
This exhibition shows how people created the towns, villages, roads, and canals. It also covers the farms, industries, and fun activities that make West Berkshire what it is today.
Special Exhibitions and Art
On the second floor, you'll find special exhibitions that change over time. These shows feature different topics and displays. There's also a special gallery, Gallery 5, where artists can show their original artwork. You might see paintings, sculptures, or crafts there.
Visiting the Museum
It's free to enter the West Berkshire Museum! However, donations are always welcome. Any money donated helps the museum add to its collections. It also helps them take care of the old buildings and keep everything in great shape.
The museum got a big update in 2014. This renovation cost about £2.2 million. The money helped make the exhibition areas better and improved things for visitors. Funding came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, West Berkshire Council, Greenham Common Trust, and the Headley Trust.
