Wycombe Museum facts for kids
The Wycombe Museum is a fun and free place to visit in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It's also known as the Wycombe Local History and Chair Museum. This museum helps you learn all about the history of the local area. Since December 1, 2016, the Wycombe Heritage and Arts Trust has been in charge of running the museum.
You can find the museum inside a beautiful old building called Castle Hill House on Priory Avenue. This house was built in the 1700s, but it stands on land that has been important since medieval times! Around the museum, there are lovely Victorian gardens to explore. The museum shows off many cool things, especially about the local furniture industry and how chairs were made. You'll see amazing Windsor chairs, delicate lace, interesting art, and even learn about natural history.
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What Can You Discover at Wycombe Museum?
The Wycombe Museum has many different collections that tell the story of the area. Here are some of the exciting things you can discover:
Local History and People
- Social History: Learn about the everyday lives of people from Wycombe and the wider Buckinghamshire area.
- Oral History: Listen to recordings from the past 30 years. These are real people telling their own stories!
The Famous Chair-Making Industry
- Furniture and Tools: See many different chairs, other furniture, and the tools that were used to make them in High Wycombe.
- Craftsmen at Work: Watch videotapes that show skilled workers making furniture. It's like a trip back in time!
- Company Records: Look at old sales catalogs, price lists, design books, and account books from furniture companies dating back to the 1800s.
- Photographs: See pictures of the town and the furniture trade from long ago.
Art and Other Treasures
- Art Collection: Enjoy oil paintings, prints, watercolours, drawings, engravings, brass rubbings, and sculptures.
- Money and Tokens: Check out old trade tokens and coins that were used in the Wycombe and Buckinghamshire areas.
Sports Memorabilia
- Wycombe Wanderers: If you love football, you'll enjoy seeing items from the local football club, Wycombe Wanderers. This includes things like the Wycombe Comanche mascot!
Did You Know?
The Wycombe Museum was even mentioned on the popular TV show Gavin & Stacey! One of the show's writers, James Corden, grew up in the area.
More to Explore
- High Wycombe Chair Making Museum