Somerset Rural Life Museum

Somerset Rural Life Museum

Infobox Museum
name = Somerset Rural Life Museum


established = 1975
location =Glastonbury, Somerset
map_type=Somerset
latitude= 51.1485
longitude= -2.7140
visitors =
director =
website = [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/culturecommunity/museums/somersetmuseums/somersetrurallife/ Museum Website] The Somerset Rural Life Museum is situated in Glastonbury, Somerset, UK. It is a museum of the social and agricultural history of Somerset, housed in buildings surrounding a 14th century barn once belonging to Glastonbury Abbey. It was used for the storage of arable produce, particularly wheat and rye, from the abbey's home farm of approximately 524 acres. Threshing and winnowing would also have been carried out in the barn.

The barn which was built from local 'shelly' limestone, with thick timbers supporting the stone tiling of the roof. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building, [cite web | title=Abbey Tithe Barn, including attached wall to east | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=265895 | accessdate=2007-09-29] and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 the barn was given to the Duke of Somerset. By the early 20th century it was being used as a farm store by the Mapstone family. In 1974 they donated it to Somerset County Council and between 1976 and 1978 underwent restoration.

The barn and courtyard contain displays of farm machinery from the Victorian or early 20th Century period. Other exhibits show local crafts, including willow coppicing, mud horse fishing on the flats of Bridgwater Bay, peat digging on the Somerset Levels, and the production of milk,cheese, and cider. In reconstructed rooms detailing domestic life in the nearby village of Butleigh, the story of one farm worker, John Hodges, is told from cradle to grave.

Outside, there is a beehive and rare breeds of poultry and sheep, in the cider apple orchard. Regular craft demonstrations and talks on farming are held, as are activities for children and families. There is a shop, tea room, free car park and disabled access. The shop and tea room are run by the Friends of the Somerset Rural Life Museum.

Admission to the museum is free.

References

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/culturecommunity/museums/somersetmuseums/somersetrurallife/ Somerset Rural Life Museum]


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