Our museum contains a number of galleries and themed
displays.
Archaeology Gallery
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.
The Balcony
Here are commemorative medals, costume jewellery and local
ceramics, including Elton Ware, Fishley Holland and Sheldon Pottery
from Clevedon and Wesuma Ware from Weston.
Upper Gallery
This upstairs gallery is in the oldest part of the building. It
displays laundry equipment, a range of garden wares made at
the Royal Potteries, Weston-super-Mare. It is also used for
temporary exhibitions. There is a hands-on area for
under-5s.
Chemist Shop
This displays the contents of a late 19th century local chemist
shop, Ernest Widgery's, of West Street, Weston-super-Mare.
Clara's Cottage
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.
Peggy Nisbet Collection
Upstairs in the cottage is a display devoted to the dolls made
by Peggy Nisbet in her factories in Weston-super-Mare and
Winscombe. These costume and character dolls, made between 1953 and
1988, are widely collected today.
Clara's Corner
This hands-on area for all ages contains a computer interactive,
Victorian dressing-up clothes and toys. The computer holds a wealth
of information about Clara's Cottage and the people who lived and
stayed there. It includes a virtual tour of the rooms for those who
may find it difficult to get around the cottage.
Costume Gallery
The costume gallery has cases featuring Victorian, 1920s
and 1950s clothing, as well as displays of
wedding dresses and smocks. There is a display of fashion
accessories and some of our collection of bakelite.
The Courtyard
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.
The Dairy
This display is filled with dairying equipment from the days
when local farms made their own butter, cream and cheese.
The Dentist
This small display shows what a visit to the dentist might have
been like in 1900. On display is a dentist's chair, treadle drill,
spittoon and instruments.
Natural History Gallery
The Natural History Gallery on the ground floor highlights the
main habitats in North Somerset. It includes the typical and
important species of the area. Special features of the gallery
include: a 22 ft (6.7m) wooden boat, an ichthyosaur, a swordfish
and a hands-on area for under-5s.
Smyth-Pigott Gallery
A selection of portraits of the major land-owning family in
North Somerset in the 18th and 19th centuries, including two studio
portraits by Gainsborough.
Seaside Holiday
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.
Toys and Dolls
Upstairs in Clara's Cottage, is a display of some of the
Museum's collection of old toys, dolls and dolls houses. This
includes old Teddy Bears, and a Hornby 0-gauge train set.
World War 2
This display deals with life on the Home Front for the people of
North Somerset during the Second World War, from air-raids to
vegetable plots.
For more information contact our
Museum team.