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 opened by the wealthy collector and natural historian William Edward Baily in 1903. He donated his collection and the building to house it. The following year the museum proper was opened. Other prominent local men also added to the collection, including naturalist Joseph Whitaker^{[disambiguation needed ]} and artist Albert Sorby Buxton.

This growth led to a need in 1938 to move from the now deteriorating "Tin Tabernacle", and this was to be the museum as it is today. The greatest changes to the museum since were the adding of a fourth gallery in the 1960s, and the arcade, which finally allowed the building to join the road, in the late 1980s.

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.

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 lusterware.

References

• Mansfield Museum [1]
• Mansfield District Council [2]
• Culture 24 [3]
• Our Mansfield and Area [4]

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

Coordinates: 53°08′45″N 1°11′38″W / 53.1458°N 1.1938°W / 53.1458; -1.1938