Mansfield Museum
Mansfield Museum is a local authority museum run by the council in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Background
Originally called the "Tin Tabernacle", the Museum was given to the town of Mansfield by the wealthy collector and natural historian,William Edward Baily in 1903. On his death he donated his collection and the building to house it. The following year the Museum was opened to the public on its current site on Leeming Street. Other prominent local people also added to the collection, including naturalist Joseph Whitaker and artist Albert Sorby Buxton.
The building you see today replaced the deteriorating "Tin Tabernacle" in 1938 and a fourth gallery was added in the 1960s. The arcade gallery was opened by HRH The Duchess of York in 1989 and this finally took the building out onto the road.
Current work
As well as the many permanent and temporary exhibitions the Museum hosts a number of community projects, these are aimed at all sections of society. In 2011 the Museum was recognised as The Guardian Family Friendly Museum of the Year.
Permanent Exhibitions
Images of Mansfield, Past and Present
The Museum arcade holds a collection of images and objects that act as an introduction to both Mansfield and the Museum. Highlights include a penny-farthing and a purpose-built automaton.
Albert Sorby Buxton
A real jewel in the crown of the collection are the watercolour pictures of Mansfield painted by artist Albert Sorby Buxton. They capture the town at the turn of the century.
Ceramics
A gallery is dedicated to the ceramic works of William Billingsley and Rachel Manner's lustreware.
References
External links
- Mansfield Museum
- Mansfield Museum Facebook Page
- XplorActive - museum's site for games for children, and a hands-on interactive gallery in the museum