Richmondshire Museum » About the Museum
A Brief History
The absence of a local history museum in Richmondshire prompted members of the Soroptimist Club of Richmond & Dales to hold a public meeting Richmond Town Hall in the Spring of 1974 to set up a working committee to develop what has now become the Richmondshire Local History Museum. A search for suitable premises found a building in Ryders Wynd owned by the Borough Council and used as a carpenter’s workshop and storeroom. The two-storey building had an earth floor and a small upstairs flat. Four years later, in 1978 it was formally opened by Lord Zetland.
When it opened 30 years ago the museum consisted of a single ground-floor gallery and a first-floor meeting room where the flourishing Friends of Richmondshire Museum organisation met every month. It now has several galleries on two floors that tell the history of Richmond and its people from earliest times.
Popular displays include:
- Artefacts from Roman times to the present day.
- A Cruck House from nearby Ravensworth.
- Lead-mining in the Dale.
- Toys through the Ages.
- Transport Gallery with a model of Richmond Station at the turn of the 20th Century.
- Grinton Post Office.
- Barker’s Chemist Shop from Catterick.
- The Herriot Set from the BBC's All Creatures Great and Small
- Fenwick’s grocers and chandlers shop (a reconstruction of the original shop in Frenchgate in the town): John James Fenwick, founder of the department stores in Newcastle, York and London started his working life in this 19th century shop. The reconstruction was opened in May 2008 by two members of the Fenwick family.
- The Wenham Study Centre which is used for lectures, study groups, workshops and research.
School parties are welcomed and arrangements can be made for visits from groups and organisations.
There is wheelchair access throughout, a lift giving access to all floors, and a toilet for disabled visitors. Guide dogs are welcome.
A souvenir shop provides a range of interesting items and various books and pamphlets.
Since its foundation, Richmondshire Museum has held an annual programme of lectures. Details of the 2008/2009 programme are shown in the Events section of this website and in the Richmond Online website.
The museum is funded by donations and run by volunteers. It is open daily April-October from 10:30am until last entry at 4:00pm.
Museum Management Committee:
Ron Birch (Treasurer)
Sheila Clarke
John Culpan
Julie Dodd
Elsie Ferguson (Membership Secretary)
David Gillson
Angus Goodfellow
Sheila Harrisson
Dave Hodgson
Rod Isacc
Mike Wood (Chairman)
Membership Subscriptions & Entitlements:
Minimum Subscription Rates:
Single - £5 per year
Family - £8 per year
Patrons - £25 per year
Life Membership - £100
Entitlements
Free entry to the museum
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