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Museum Details

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

Guildhall Road
Northampton
NN1 1DP
Northamptonshire
England

Collection details
Archaeology
Costume and Textiles
Decorative and Applied Art
Fine Art
Social History

Facilities

Shop: yes
Baby changing facilities: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Hearing disability facilities: yes

Contact details
General information (Tel) : 01604 838111
Education (Tel) : 01604 838544
General information (Fax) : 01604 838720
E-mail : museums@northampton.gov.uk
Website : www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Open
Mon-Sat 1000-1700
Sun 1400-1700

Closed
Open Good Friday and Easter Monday

Admission charges
Free Admission

Description
Northampton Museum reflects the town's proud standing as both Britain's boot & shoe capital and the focus for history of the town through the ages.
Step back into a world of shoes with two new galleries funded with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Northampton Borough Council.
'Life & Sole' shoes the history of shoemaking using audio-visual diaplays, interactive exhibits and a re-creation of an old shoe factory.
'Followers of Fashion' Continues the story of footwear and celebrates shoe fashions through the centuries
The story of Northampton's history from the Stone Age to the 20th century is told with objects, sound and film.
Both decorative arts and fine arts are represented in outstanding collections, particularly the Oriental ceramics and the 15th to 18th century Italian paintings.
Regular events include temporary exhibitions,lunchtime talks, mornings for the over 60's and sessions for toddlers in term time and school holiday workshops.

Collections description
Shoes, shoe machinery and ephemera
Social History
Archaeology
Geology
Fine and Decorative Art

Key artists and exhibits
1.Fine bronze SCABBARD of the 1st century BC, once the prized possession of a Celtic noble. Found at the Iron Age hill fort, Hunsbury. ; 2. Unique Jewish tombstone, 13th century, from the former Jewish cemetary, off Barrack Road, Northampton ; 3. THE BLAKE SEWER An important shoe machine to stich the soles of shoes. It signifys the machanisation of shoe manufacture. ; 4. CHAIRS BY CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH c. 1916 designed for WJ Basset-Lowke's house at 78 Derngate, Northampton. ; 5. Bronze model of Henry Moore's MADONNA AND CHILD commissioned in 1943 for St Matthew's Church, Northampton. ; 6. Painted and gilded Italian CASSONE or marriage chest, Siennes school about 1470. ; 7. STATUE of Sekemka, Inspetor of Scribes, Egyptian, 5th Dynasty (about 2400BC) brough to England by the 2nd Marquis of Northampton ; 8. Unusual double-sided portrait, about 1580, of Sir Christopher Hatton of Holdenby, Northamptonshire. On loan to the National Maritime Museum for the Elizabth I exhibition May 2003. ; 9. CHINESE PORCELAIN JAR. Chia-ching 1522-1566. Decorated with swimming carp ; 10. ELEPHANT BOOT made in 1959 by Lotus Ltd, Northampton, for the British Alpine Hannibal Expedition. ; 11. Super elevated ghillie by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, famously tripping Naomi Campbell up on the catwalk. ; 9.

Articles
Collecting Cultures - HLF Announces Grants For Acquisitions
MGM 2008 - A Murder Mystery At Northampton Museum
News In Brief - Week Ending October 7 2007
Museumaker Commissions Major East Midlands Artworks
Craft Makers & Museums Brought Together In East Midlands
Family Wins Prize After Entering 'I Love My Museum' Competition
Much-Loved Artist's Work Gets First Public Show In Northampton

Trails
The Industrial Heritage of the East Midlands

Events
The Northampton Town & County Art Society at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery  Exhibition (temporary)
Shoe Stories at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery  Exhibition (temporary)
Museum Mornings for the over 60s at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery 27/11  Lecture
Lunchtime Talk at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery 9/12  Lecture
Toddler Afternoons for the Under 5's at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery 10/12  Workshop or activity session
Museums Mornings for the over 60's at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery 11/12  Lecture
Exhibition by Facets Textile Group at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery  Exhibition (temporary)

General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available Collections
General guide to collections available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance) Disability Access
Braille information and/or interpretation
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
General audio-guide available
Induction loops in lecture theatres
Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to all public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan Children and Families
Activities for pre-school children
Baby changing facilities
Events and resources for children and families General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
General audio-guide available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students Schools Education
Direct teaching services for schools
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available Facilities
Facilities for private functions and events
General audio-guide available
Meeting room available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Refreshments
Research facilities for academics
Shop
Study facilities Search this site

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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

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