West Berkshire Museum

West Berkshire Museum
Established 26 October 1904[1]
Location Newbury, Berkshire
Coordinates 51°24′05″N 1°19′18″W / 51.401337°N 1.321743°W
Website westberkshiremuseum.org.uk

The West Berkshire Museum is a museum located in Newbury, Berkshire. Established in 1904, the museum houses various artworks and collections. The museum is housed in two of Newbury's most historic buildings.[2] 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.[3]

The museum has recently undergone a major refurbishment which for the first time will allow access to every part of the building. Eleven different exhibitions galleries, cafe and resource centre, Discovery, it will re-open on 25 August 2014.

West Berkshire Museum is unusual in that it has no permanent and unchanging exhibition. All of its galleries change regularly and community groups and individuals are strongly encouraged to make their own exhibitions for display.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Sutton, Kate (26 October 2004). "West Berkshire Museum is 100 years old!". Finds.org.uk. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  2. ↑ "West Berkshire Museum". The Art Fund. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  3. ↑ "West Berkshire Museum, Newbury". 24 Hour Museum. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-17.

Coordinates: 51°24′05″N 1°19′20″W / 51.4013°N 1.3221°W