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Museum Details
Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney
The Cowper and Newton Museum
Orchard Side
Market Place
Olney
MK46 4AJ
Buckinghamshire
England
Collection details
Archaeology
Archives
Coins and Medals
Costume and Textiles
Decorative and Applied Art
Fine Art
Medicine
Natural Sciences
Personalities
Science and Technology
Social History
Facilities
Shop: yes
Guided tours: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Disabled people are welcome. A portfolio of photographs of the exhibits in the upper rooms is available for those who find the steep stairs difficult to manage.
Free public car parks in Market Place, opposite museum, and Old Cattle Market, adjacent to musem.
Coach parties are welcome by prior arrangement. Please contact the Custodian on 01234 711516.
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
01234 711516
General information (Fax)
:
0870 164 0662
General enquiries
:
cnm@mkheritage.co.uk
Shop enquiries and orders
:
cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk
Website
:
www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk
Open
1 March to 23 December:
Tuesday - Saturday
10.30 am - 4.30 pm
June, July, August: as above PLUS Sundays 2.00 pm to 5 pm
Also open ALL Bank Holiday Mondays, but closed Good Friday. However OPEN Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day).
Closed
Winter Closure: Christmas, New Year, January and February.
Also closed Good Friday.
Admission charges
Adults £3.00
Concessions £2.00
Family ticket £7.50
Children 5 to 18 £1.50
Children under 5 - FREE
Parties of 12 people or more: £2.00 per head, £3.50 with pre-booked guided tour and garden only £1.00
Description
The Museum was opened in 1900. The house called Orchard Side was at that time owned by Mr W. H. Collingridge and he was persuaded by Thomas Wright of Olney to give the property to the town of Olney as a museum. Thomas Wright was an Olney schoolmaster, local historian and a prolific author. Among his writings were biographies of Cowper and William Blake as well as editions of Persian poets such as Omar Khyam. Two of his most famous works are "The Romance of the Lace Pillow" and "The Romance of the Shoe Maker". He was instrumental in raising public awareness about Olney's heritage and was the first Custodian of the Cowper and Newton Museum.
Key artists and exhibits
William Cowper - The famous 18th century poet, letter-writer and classical scholar.
;
Rev. John Newton - Cowper's spiritual mentor, author of "Amazing Grace"
;
Lacemaking - The local history of the industry.
Articles
News In Brief - Week Ending March 18 2007
Family Friendly Museums in the Thames Valley
Museums and Galleries in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Guided tours
Collections
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Disability Access
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Children and Families
Gardens open to public
General Education
Education facilities available
Schools Education
Primary school education service available
Facilities
Gardens open to public
Library
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Shop
Study facilities
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