Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, Cumbria

Keswick Museum and Art Gallery

Location : Keswick
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 269238

Station Rd. Tel: 017687 73263
Email : keswick.museum@allerdale.gov.uk

Keswick Museum and Art Gallery.

Keswick Museum and Art Gallery in the Fitz Park was built at the turn of the century for 'the inhabitants of Keswick and the visitors thereto'. The grand opening of the museum was on Easter Monday April 11th 1898, and it has remained unchanged ever since, apart from the provision of electric lighting and heating. Its Victorian style, and the range of exhibits make it a fascinating place to visit for all the family. The picture gallery was added later through the energies of Canon Rawnsley. It opened in July 1907.

The local history collection stretches back to Roman times, and includes such items as the famous 500 year old cat, a penny farthing cycle, and a man trap. One of the prime exhibits is a set of musical stones (below), variously termed the stone dulcimer, the rock harmonicon or the geological piano. It has travelled to London where performances were given to Queen Victoria.

There is Flintof's relief model of the Lake District, made in 1834 and covering 1200 sq miles at a scale of three inches to the mile, showing fells and valleys, rivers and roads. There is a fine collection of rocks and minerals.

The 'Poets Corner' has an impressive collection of original manuscripts and memorabilia from Robert Southey, William Wordsworth and Hugh Walpole. There are examples of items made in 'The School of Industrial Art', set up in the town by Canon Rawnsley and his wife. The lamp fittings in the museum were made there. Monthly exhibitions by local artists are held in the Art Gallery.