Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England
Website
Website
www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Twitter page
www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330
Telephone
01604 838111
Education
01604 838544
Fax
01604 838720
Northampton Museum reflects the town's proud standing as both Britain's boot & shoe capital and the focus for history of the town through the ages. Step back into a world of shoes with two new galleries funded with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Northampton Borough Council.
'Life & Sole' shows the history of shoemaking using audio-visual diaplays, interactive exhibits and a re-creation of an old shoe factory. 'Followers of Fashion' continues the story of footwear and celebrates shoe fashions through the centuries.
The story of Northampton's history from the Stone Age to the 20th century is told with objects, sound and film.
Both decorative arts and fine arts are represented in outstanding collections, particularly the Oriental ceramics and the 15th to 18th century Italian paintings.
Regular events include temporary exhibitions,lunchtime talks, mornings for the over 60's and sessions for toddlers in term time and school holiday workshops.
This museum has a Designated Collection of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery
Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England
Website
Website
www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Twitter page
www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330
Telephone
01604 838111
Education
01604 838544
Fax
01604 838720
The Boot and Shoe collection held at Northampton's Central Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most extensive collections of its kind in the world, and is a Designated Collection of national importance.
It includes everything from Roman and Medieval footwear to the work of contemporary designers and reflects the vital role of Northampton in the history of shoe making. As well as footwear the collection includes: shoemaking tools and machines; accessories such as buckles, button hooks and polish; fine and decorative art depicting shoes and shoe making and documentary material including trade catalogues and journals, books, documents and photographs. Associated indexes include an index of shoemakers and shoemaking firms, and an index of shoes which are concealed in buildings for luck.
Shoes, shoe machinery and ephemera
Social History
Archaeology
Geology
Fine and Decorative Art
Collection details
Social History, Fine Art, Costume and Textiles, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Fine bronze SCABBARD of the 1st century BC, once the prized possession of a Celtic noble. Found at the Iron Age hill fort, Hunsbury.
- Unique Jewish tombstone, 13th century, from the former Jewish cemetery, off Barrack Road, Northampton
- THE BLAKE SEWER An important shoe machine to stitch the soles of shoes. It signifies the mechanisation of shoe manufacture.
- CHAIRS BY CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH c. 1916 designed for WJ Basset-Lowke's house at 78 Derngate, Northampton.
- Bronze model of Henry Moore's MADONNA AND CHILD commissioned in 1943 for St Matthew's Church, Northampton.
- Painted and gilded Italian CASSONE or marriage chest, Siennes school about 1470.
- STATUE of Sekemka, Inspetor of Scribes, Egyptian, 5th Dynasty (about 2400BC) brough to England by the 2nd Marquis of Northampton
- Unusual double-sided portrait, about 1580, of Sir Christopher Hatton of Holdenby, Northamptonshire. On loan to the National Maritime Museum for the Elizabeth I exhibition May 2003.
- CHINESE PORCELAIN JAR. Chia-ching 1522-1566. Decorated with swimming carp
- ELEPHANT BOOT made in 1959 by Lotus Ltd, Northampton, for the British Alpine Hannibal Expedition.
- Super elevated ghillie by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, famously tripping Naomi Campbell up on the catwalk.
- Designated Collection.
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England
Website
Website
www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Twitter page
www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330
Telephone
01604 838111
Education
01604 838544
Fax
01604 838720
Stamp Out Hate Crime
This exhibition recorgnises Holocaust Memorial Day and LGBT History Month. The campaign led by youth in Northampton is a response to what young people said about their experiences and issues they face with bullying and hate crime today. The campaign is also created out of respect for Natasha Warnes; many young people locally knew her and people close to her. Tragically Natasha died as a result of being bullied.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. In the People's Gallery. 3rd Floor
Admission
Free entry
Website
Stories of the world: The world at your feet
An exhibition exploring shoes and cultures from around the world. Including rights of passage themes, which will discover shoe traditions from different cultures. This event will include local stories from different community groups that reminisce about various stages of their lives and footwear, which marks the importance of these celebrations. The world at your feet also showcases shoes from the world footwear collection that have never been seen on public display. This exhibition is a part of the National Stories of the World programme for London's 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
Free Entry
Website
Step into my shoes
The exhibition will comprise work by contemporary astist Richard Long, iconic photographs taken by Herbert Ponting on Captain Scott's fateful Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole 1910 - 12, Anna Sutcliffe's photographs of Antarctica today, a selection of boots and shoes belonging to people who have made significant journeys on foot (including Captain Scott, John Clare, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Satish Kumar) and new work by Clare Abbatt made in response to themes of the exhibition.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
Free entry
Website
Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England
Website
Website
www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Twitter page
www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330
Telephone
01604 838111
Education
01604 838544
Fax
01604 838720
February Half Term Workshop
Spend half the day at Northampton Central Library and see what you can find. Record your adventure in our own travel journal made at Northampton Museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
1-3pm
Where
Northampton Central Library and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
Free of charge. Drop in any time between 10am - 12pm & 1pm-3pm
Website
February Half Term Workshop
Spend half the day at Northampton Central Library and see what you can find. Record your adventure in our own travel journal made at Northampton Museum.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
10am-12pm
Where
Northampton Central Library and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
Free of charge. Drop in any time between 10am - 12pm & 1pm-3pm
Website
Best Foot Forward with Clare Abbatt
Think about special journeys you have been on in your life and make a mould of your foot.
Suitable for
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16-17
- 18+
- Family friendly
When
10am-2:30pm
Where
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
£2.50 each. To book call 01604 838111 or visit the museum
Website
The Three Little Pigs Puppet show
Come and join Peter, Percy & Pollyanna pig in their battle against the Big Bad Wolf! Will their houses gen blown down? Come and join Looking Glass Theatre's puppet and storytelling show to find out!
Suitable for 1-8 year olds.
Suitable for
- 0-4
- 5-6
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
When
3-4:30pm
Where
Function Room (Basement)
Admission
£3.50 Children. £5 Adults
Website
Murder Mystery 'The Hidden Treasure'
It is 2012. Arctic explorers have recently returned from an expedition to the North Pole and are giving a talk about their experiences at Northampton Museum.
Things are going well until one of them is murdered. It is rumoured that there is treasure located within the museum's walls! Was this the reason for the murder? Join Looking Glass Theatre for an evening to remember! Who will find the treasure first and will everyone survive the journey?
Suitable for
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
7:30-9:30pm
Where
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
£12.50. Book tickets by calling 01604 838111 or visit the museum
Website
Contemporary Art of Walking
Alison Lloyd, Contemporary art of walking, will lead an itinerant initiative where contemporary art and outdoor culture can meet on a journey out to the edgelands of Northampton.
Alison will tailor the walk for those who are interested in wandering and journeying and who may want to contribute on the day, or simply come along for the experience. Alison will curate the walk providing a platform for participants' contributions and the event will finish with a creative writing workshop at Northampton.
Suitable for
- 16-17
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
10am-4pm
Where
All Saints' Church 10am. Walk 10:30am - 1pm. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery 1pm - 4pm
Admission
£3.50
Website
Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England
Website
Website
www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Twitter page
www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330
Telephone
01604 838111
Education
01604 838544
Fax
01604 838720
Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England
Website
Website
www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Twitter page
www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330
Telephone
01604 838111
Education
01604 838544
Fax
01604 838720
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