West Berkshire Museum The Wharf Newbury RG14 5AS Berkshire England
West Berkshire Museum
Collection details
Agriculture, Archaeology, Archives, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Inland Waterways, Industry, Natural Sciences, Photography, Social History, Toys and Hobbies, Trade and Commerce, Weapons and War
All groups of 10+ are requested to book in advance. Please call the museum office on 01635 30511. More
information about getting the most out of your visit is available here.
Access
Due to the historic nature of the building it is regretted that access is not possible for wheelchair
users. Guide and hearingdogs are welcome. Seating is located throughout the galleries. Text
versions of the audio visual commentary . Vistor Services Assistants are able to give assistance
if required.
Light Levels
Please note that light levels in some galleries are kept low in order to preserve delicate materials
Camera & Video
No photography or video is allowed without a permit.
Toilets
There are no public toilets in the Museum. Excellent facilities are located in in the car park
opposite
Please phone 01635 30511 to make appointments for:
Group Visits
Illustrated Talks
Information Enquiries
Object Identification
Use of the Library and other resources
See the website for details of events and special exhibitions
Open
Open:
April to September: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 10am to 5pm. Sat - 10am to 4:30pm
October to March: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, Sat - 10am to 4pm
Open Wednesday during School Holidays only
Closed
Closed: Term Time Wednesdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays
Admission charges
Admission free
Description
Historic Museum Buildings: The museum is housed in two of Newbury's most historic buildings. The Cloth Hall was built in 1626-1627 by Richard Emmes, a master carpenter of Speenhamland for the Newbury Corporation as a cloth factory. Originally part of a larger range of buildings with a courtyard in the centre, the building was subsequently used as a workhouse, hospital and school before being used for storing corn from 1829 until its conversion to a museum.
The Granary was built beside the river when the town became a busy inland port with the opening of the River Kennet Navigation in 1723. Used as a warehouse for corn storage until the twentieth century, in 1935 bay windows were put in the ground floor rooms and it became the location of the town's bus station. Today, the Granary Tea Rooms and Desmoulin Gallery and Café occupy part of the ground floor. The museum opened in the Cloth Hall in 1904 after the building had been restored in memory of Queen Victoria. Known as a Museum of Antiquities and Natural Curiosities, it displayed items from across the world as well as those of local origin. The foundation collection was a miscellany that the Borough Council had inherited when the town's Literary and Scientific Institution closed in 1903. The museum was extended in 1934 when new galleries were built between the two historic buildings and in 1985 further galleries were opened in the Granary building. Since April 1998 the museum has been operated by West Berkshire Council.
Collections description
The Museum's Collections cover a range of subjects including:
· Archaeology
· Books
· Costume & Accessories
· Ephemera (eg programmes, certificates)
· Fine and Decorative Art
· Geology
· Maps
· Natural History
· Numismatics (coins and medals)
· Photographs
· Rural Life
· Social History
· Trade & Industry.
The Museum's Galleries illustrate aspects of West Berkshire's history from prehistoric times to the present day. Space is limited, which means that only a few stories can be depicted using a small part of the collections. Moreover, some objects are too heavy, or too fragile to be placed in the galleries. The objects which are not on display are stored and cared for behind the scenes in the Museum's stores. They are used for temporary exhibitions in the Museum and throughout West Berkshire, as well as for research by staff and visitors; many of them will be used in future Museum displays. They may not be on view at the moment, but they are accessible.
Key artists and exhibits
Kennet & Avon Canal -The history of the canal from 1723 to 1990. Hot Air Ballooning - The story of ballooning from 1783 and local pioneer balloonists in the 19th century. Traditional Craft Industries - Baskets, beer, brooms and bowls are some of the local products made in the area in the past. Civil War - The story of the two battles found around Newbury in 1643 and 1644. Costume - Fashion from the 18th century to the 20th century. Collection Focus - Ceramics, jewellery, silver, pewter, toys and games. History Hall - A diverse range of subjects including the story of the Newbury Coat. Archaeology - Sites and finds representing 12,000 years of local settlement. Natural History - Local wildlife, plants and geology with a focus on Greenham and Crookham Common.
