The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has just announced its initial support for the Town Council’s museum improvement plan by awarding £73,000 development funding and consultancy assistance to help prepare the next phase of the £750,000 grant application.

A delighted Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, Chairman of the Museum Working Party said "This is a tremendous vote of confidence in what we are trying to achieve in Burlington Street. All the past year’s hard work has borne fruit" 

If successful with the second stage of the grant application some £850,000 will be injected into the Burlington Street facility - £100,000 of which will be provided by the Town Council. Building works including asbestos removal, new electrics and the installation of a lift, along with modern display cabinets and improved gallery, exhibition and meeting spaces will make this one of the region’s significant museums. Parts of the collections, previously unseen, will be part of the new exhibitions.

A revamped museum will not only help improve the town and surrounding villages’ sense of identity by encouraging curiosity and pride in our local heritage but will hopefully also become a tourist destination in its own right. 

 

Come and explore the exciting history of North Somerset from pre-history to the present day. Weston-super-Mare Museum is a real treasure trove that tells the wonderful story of the area’s varied and colourful past. Take a stroll around the former gasworks company building or just relax in the attractive palm lined courtyard cafe .

See wedding dresses from the past and other historic costume

 

 

 

 

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Not strictly a gallery, the glazed courtyard with its wood block floor is the most attractive feature of the museum. Here you can pause from your explorations and take refreshments. Around the walls are old advertising signs and entertainment posters. The trickling fountain provides a calming background. From the courtyard you can explore the other galleries and displays in the museum.

 

This gallery is just off the central courtyard. It features all the paraphernalia of a typical seaside holiday in Weston, between 1870 and 1940, with sections on the beach, the pier, looking for lodgings, souvenirs, excursions and entertainment. There is an original Victorian Punch and Judy puppet set, model paddle steamer and working original amusement machines.

This gallery is on the first floor and shows local archaeological material dating from the Ice Age to the Medieval period. Iron Age material from local hillforts and Roman remains are featured. In the Mining section you can see tools and other devices used by people working in the mines of Mendip.

This cottage, built in 1864, is adjacent to the museum. Three of the rooms - the Parlour, Kitchen and Bedroom - are displayed as they would have been when Clara Payne lived there with her husband Robert and four children in 1900. Clara took in paying guests to help pay the bills.

 

 

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