Wootton Bassett Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wootton Bassett Museum |
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The old Town Hall, now the Wootton Bassett Museum
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| Location | Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, England |
| Built | 1690 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Designated | 17 January 1955 |
| Reference no. | 1363658 |
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Wootton Bassett Museum is a fascinating local museum located in the historic market town of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, England. It is housed inside the town's old town hall, which is a very special and protected historic building known as a Grade II listed building.
Contents
The Town Hall's Early Days
The town hall building was a special gift to the town from Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester. He was a Member of Parliament for Wootton Bassett. The building was finished in 1690. It had an open ground floor and an upper floor. The upper floor was held up by 15 strong stone columns.
What Was the Ground Floor Used For?
The ground floor of the town hall was a busy place. It was used as a market where people sold butter and cheese. There was also a small room under the staircase. This room was used to hold people who were being disruptive until they calmed down. Another space on the ground floor stored the town's old hand-worked fire engine.
The Upper Floor: Council and Court
The upper floor of the town hall had two important uses. It served as a meeting place for the local council. This is where important decisions about the town were made. It was also used as a courthouse, where legal matters were handled.
Changes to the Town's Government
For a long time, Wootton Bassett was known as a "rotten borough." This meant it had very few voters. Only a couple of powerful people largely controlled who became a member of parliament for the town.
The End of the Rotten Borough
In 1832, a new law called the Reform Act 1832 changed things. It took away Wootton Bassett's right to elect members of parliament. Later, in 1883, the town council that met in the courthouse was also ended by another law.
Saving the Historic Building
By the late 1800s, the town hall was in very bad shape. It was almost torn down! But then, in 1889, a socialite named Lady Meux and her husband helped save it. They paid for a big restoration project.
What Changed During Restoration?
During the restoration, some parts of the building were changed. The small room under the stairs and the fire engine storage area were removed. This made the ground floor completely open, just as you see it today.
The Museum's Beginning
The town hall continued to be used as a meeting place for the local council until 1972. After that, the council moved to a new building, and the old town hall became empty.
How the Museum Was Created
Later in 1972, a person named Dr. Alan Stebbens had a great idea. He was the chairman of the Wootton Bassett Historical Society. He suggested that the empty town hall would be a perfect place for a museum. And so, the Wootton Bassett Museum was created!
What You Can See at the Museum
Over the years, the museum has collected many interesting items. It has a large collection of old photographs. These pictures show what life was like in Wootton Bassett during the 1800s and 1900s.
Unique Items and Models
The museum also has some very old and unique items. These include a ducking stool from 1686, old geological items, stocks, and a whipping post. You can also see a detailed model of the old Wootton Bassett railway station. This model shows how the station looked before it closed in 1965.
See also
