Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre
Chippenham Museum &
Heritage Centre is located in a fine 18th century grade II listed
building in the Market Place. Our permanent displays tell the story
of this historic market town, from prehistoric times up until the
present day. You can discover more about the history of the town
and local area by investigating our collections and by meeting some
of our famous former residents as they guide you through
history.
We have a regular series of changing temporary exhibitions, many
of which we do in partnership with local clubs and societies. Go to
our Diary Page to see what exhibitions we currently have.
Our education service
provides advice, workshops, talks and lectures to schools,
colleges, life long learning and community groups. The education
service is free to civic area school groups, with minimal charges
to other areas. Further details are available on the education
pages.
Our fully fitted lecture room is also available for hire,
offering space for up to 40 people. The room contains audio visual
equipment, a hearing loop and tea & coffee making facilities.
For further information, please contact us here.
We also have a dedicated research room that has access to our
collection of maps, photographs, trade directories, town council
minutes, burial records, historical electoral records and historic
periodicals that can be used for genealogical and local history
research. To see if we can help with your research or to book our
research room please contact us.
There is also a shop, selling local history books and
publications, relating to the town and local area.
There are many
opportunities to become involved with Chippenham Museum &
Heritage Centre. We have a dedicated team of wardens who assist
with all aspects of our work, from dealing with visitors, answering
queries, working with the collection, assisting with educational
work, helping with future exhibitions and researching local history
subjects. To find our more about the work of our wardens and get
involved yourself, see the information on our Wardens
Newsletter.
Grand Designs: The Buildings
and Builders of Chippenham'
Our new exhibition is
'Grand Designs: The Buildings and Builders of
Chippenham'. The exhibition looks at how the town has
developed over the centuries, from our surviving medieval
buildings, the 18th century economic boom, the
grand Georgian houses of 'Little Bath', and concentrating on
the huge changes in the town since Brunel brought his railway here
in 1841.
Visitors can find out about some
of our 282 listed buildings, including the two Grade I
listed, and details about the other 104 listed
buildings that have been demolished since 1945. There is also
a feature on town builders such as Downing & Rudman, John
Smith, Hulbert, Light and Co, etc
Displays feature objects relating to
historic town buildings including a piece of medieval wattle and
daub from the Yelde Hall, a section of the first electric cable
laid in the town in 1903, Victorian builder's tools, photographs,
maps, sale notices and a never before seen DVD of demolition and
construction in the town from the late 1960's through to the
1980's. A display of newly acquired aerial photographs will show
how the town has changed since 1975.
Runs until 2nd October 2010,
Museum is open 10.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Saturday, admission is
FREE
New Book on Bird's Marsh
Wood
Chippenham Town Council have published
the first in our Chippenham Studies series, Bird's
Marsh, Chippenham; an Unfinished Story. The book by
local author, Stephen E Hunt, explores the history, lore and
natural history of this unique place, loved by generations of
Chippenham people. Copies are available from the Heritage Centre,
price £6.95.
The next in there series will be
The Wilts & Berks Canal, Chippenham Branch,
watch out for publication dates later in 2010.