Museum & Heritage Centre

The summer exhibition at Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre 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 and the grand Georgian houses that created '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 the 282 listed buildings in Chippenham, two of which are Grade I listed, along with details about some of the other 104 listed buildings that have been demolished since 1945. There is also a feature on the builders such as Downing & Rudman, John Smith, Hulbert, Light and Co etc, who have done so much of the work around Chippenham.

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.

Our summer activities will have a building theme, so watch out for a Victorian photography workshop, a model making session and other craft activities.  

The exhibition will run until 2nd October 2010, 10.00am-4.00pm. Admission is free.


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