Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England

logo: Designated as an Outstanding Collection

Website

Website

www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Twitter page

www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe

Facebook page

www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330

E-mail

museums@northampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01604 838111

Education

01604 838544

Fax

01604 838720

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
baby changing facilities icon Food icon Shop icon Study area icon Hearing disability facilities icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

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

Opening hours

Tues-Sat 1000-1700
Sun 1400-1700
Closed Mon

Closed: Good Friday,Easter Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day,New Year's Day and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Admission charges

Free Admission

General services and facilities
  • Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
  • Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
  • Refreshments
  • Shop
Children and families
  • Activities for pre-school children
  • Events and resources for children and families
  • Baby changing facilities
Disability access
  • Braille information and/or interpretation
  • Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
  • Induction loops in lecture theatres
  • Toilets for disabled
  • Wheelchair access to all public areas
  • Wheelchairs available for loan
Schools services and facilities
  • Direct teaching services for schools
  • Member of staff available with responsibility for education
  • Primary school education service available
  • Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
  • Secondary school education service available
  • Education facilities available
Research and adult learning
  • Academic publications and resources available
  • Adult lectures and courses held
  • Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
  • Research facilities for academics
  • Study facilities
Commercial and hire services
  • Facilities for private functions and events
  • Meeting room available

Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England

logo: Designated as an Outstanding Collection

Website

Website

www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Twitter page

www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe

Facebook page

www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330

E-mail

museums@northampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01604 838111

Education

01604 838544

Fax

01604 838720

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

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

logo: Designated as an Outstanding Collection

Website

Website

www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Twitter page

www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe

Facebook page

www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330

E-mail

museums@northampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01604 838111

Education

01604 838544

Fax

01604 838720

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.
Stamp out hate crime image

Stamp Out Hate Crime

17 January — 4 March 2012 *on now

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Stories of the World: The world at your feet flyer image

Stories of the world: The world at your feet

31 March — 23 September 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Step into my Shoes image

Step into my shoes

7 February — 15 April 2012 *on now

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England

logo: Designated as an Outstanding Collection

Website

Website

www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Twitter page

www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe

Facebook page

www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330

E-mail

museums@northampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01604 838111

Education

01604 838544

Fax

01604 838720

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.
Northampton Museum

February Half Term Workshop

14 February 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Northampton Museum

February Half Term Workshop

14 February 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Northampton Museum

Best Foot Forward with Clare Abbatt

16 February 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Northampton Museum

The Three Little Pigs Puppet show

18 February 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Northampton Museum

Murder Mystery 'The Hidden Treasure'

10 March 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Northampton Museum

Contemporary Art of Walking

17 March 2012

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

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England

logo: Designated as an Outstanding Collection

Website

Website

www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Twitter page

www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe

Facebook page

www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330

E-mail

museums@northampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01604 838111

Education

01604 838544

Fax

01604 838720

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
Digital and online resources

http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk/JourneyView.asp?JID=97&PID=411

These resources are designed to allow Key Stage 2 children to explore science, design, history and their community by focusing on the fascinatingly familiar subject of shoes.

Publisher

  • Learn with Museums

http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk/JourneyView.asp?JID=86&PID=363

Explore the Shoes through Time interactive timeline to find out more about the history and design of shoes.

Publisher

  • Learn with Museums

http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk/JourneyView.asp?JID=57&PID=234

In Your Shoes is a classroom based, cross-curricular project on shoes with a focus on Design Technology and History.

Publisher

  • Learn with Museums

http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk/JourneyView.asp?JID=81&PID=340

The Made to Last teaching and learning package is a classroom based, key stage 2, cross curricular project on Victorian shoemaking, focusing on the Northampton shoemakers' dispute of 1859. The subject focus is on History but the pack also contains information, ideas and a range of resources to support work in ICTAC, Literacy, Numeracy and Citizenship.

Publisher

  • Learn with Museums

http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk/JourneyView.asp?JID=85&PID=362

Featuring a whiteboard interactive, this resource is designed to support Key Stage 2 pupils and teachers visiting the extensive world shoe collection at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery and participating in the new session From the Ground Up . The session and this resource use world shoes to inspire pupils to examine other cultures and environments and recreate their owners from the ground up.

Publisher

  • Learn with Museums
Resources

A Day and the Seaside

Loans box: Using original photographs and original and replica objects children will investigate what it was like at the seaside in the past. They will compare modern and historical clothing, entertainment and bathing practices. They will learn about Punch and Judy and have a go at putting on their own show.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Archaeological dig

Facilitated session: How do we find out about the past? Become an archaeologist and fill in the time line using artefacts from Northampton's past.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Creative approaches to Museum and Gallery Educational Visits

http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk

A comprehensive arts resource pack for teachers of KS1, KS2 and KS3 written by the Learning Advisers for Art and Drama from Learning, Achievement and School Improvement in Northamptonshire. This resource has been designed with a strong focus on creativity and the promotion of critical learning and thinking skills to encourage independent learning. Teachers and Museum Officers may use it with a flexible approach and adapt ideas to suit the needs of their learners.

How to obtain

Download from www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk

Decades of Change

Loans box: Pupils will be able to explore the decades from the 1950s to the 1990s. They will investigate change and continuity using a range of household objects from Northamptonshire homes
with oral testimonies given by the owners of the objects they will investigate domestic life, entertainment, fashion, design, diet, health and technology

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

English Civil War: Was England Turned Upside Down?

Loans box: A carved panelled oak chest, constructed in the style of the period, containing facsimiles of primary evidence (coins, letters and pamphlets). These provide clues for students to discover some of the significant causes of the Civil Wars and consider why people chose sides with particular reference to religion, money and political power. Copies of pamphlets show views from both sides of an "England turned upside down" and letters showing the impact of the wars on a typical family.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Ethnography

Loans box: Three distinct boxes of ethnographic items from museum's collection have been created. Each box may be used individually, and they are complemented by an accompanying cross-curricular resource pack targeting key stages 2 and 3, with special emphasis on history. The objects come from a wide geographical spread: Asia, Oceana, Australia, Africa, North and South America and a few pieces from distinct ethnic groups in Europe. Used together the box and thematic pack, Representations of Empire, provide good cross-cultural themes and cross-curricular links through looking at Victorian collecting, missionaries, slavery, the lives of people in the Empire, trade, tourism and the stories that objects can tell.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

History of shoes

Facilitated session: Find out more about shoes by looking at footwear through the ages using the museum's extensive shoe handling collection. This visit can be combined with a look at both the 'Life and Sole' and 'Followers of Fashion' shoe galleries. This session can also include shoe making. Local schools may wish to have this session as part of a study of local history.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

I Stand Corrected

Loans box: Learning about disability through museum collections. This resource contains examples of the museum's orthopaedic footwear collection, which provide the starting point for discussions around disability. Pupils will be able to use the collection to analyse and learn about significant issues for people who wear the footwear and try to differentiate between what is fashion and what is function.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

In Our Shoes

Loans box: Students will investigate a range of footwear spanning time and cultures to look at the influence of fashion, occupation, status, wealth, climate and technology on shoe design and manufacture. They will then be able to build up a picture of the life of the characters that wore the shoes and present them in a catwalk show. This will equip the students to then set a design brief and create their own shoe design.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

In the Picture: Multi-sensory box

Loans box: Using the box, contents and supporting materials, teachers can encourage pupils to explore the box using all of their senses. The suggested activities offer an integrated cross-curricular approach and have been designed to be flexible in order to respond to the variety of special needs found in the classroom. The suggested sessions seek to provide space and time for pupil-initiated learning, with activities developing and evolving in response to the children's personal explorations and discoveries.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Invaders and settlers: Anglo Saxons and Vikings

Facilitated session: Pupils can handle a variety of real and replica artefacts including coins, pottery, instruments and weapons to learn about the life of Anglo-Saxon and Viking age people. There will also be the opportunity to try on replica costume and write their name in runes.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Invaders and settlers: Life in Roman Britain

Facilitated session: A variety of objects including coins, pottery, mosaics, oil lamps and replica Roman armour, bring Roman Britain alive

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Legacy of the Ancient Greeks

Facilitated session: Using our special handling collection and museum gallery ideas, discover the myths, legends, gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Made to last - shoe making

Facilitated session: The workshop allows pupils to explore the characteristic features of Victorian times and find out what impact changes in work had on the lives of real people. In role as shoemakers' children in 1857, the pupils will actively help a Northampton shoemaker discover whether the new machines would put them out of jobs.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Medicine through time

Loans box: Pupils will have the chance to see, touch and investigate the objects that changed medical history - a powerful learning tool for tactile and kinaesthetic learners. The box contains a selection of original medical objects, timeline with magnetic dates and facts, laminated resource pack, set of laminated copies of original documents. This box may also be used as a stimulus for creative writing, drama, citizenship or lessons at other key stages.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Sculpture

Facilitated session: using sculpture from the handling collection, students are encouraged to focus on materials, design and practical application. They will gain valuable insight into the work of the sculptor, choice of material, form and materials and design. Students also get the opportunity to make a sculpture

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Second World War: Evacuee Suitcase

Loans box: How did it feel to be evacuated? Using this suitcase with items that a child would have taken with them, or used at this time, pupils will gain a valuable insight into how difficult it was for children during the war years.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Second World War: Home Front

Loans box: What was life like for those living in Britain during this difficult time? With original items from the 1940s, use this box and suggested activities to allow pupils to learn about real people and their experiences.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Second World War: Soldier

Loans box: What was it like to be a soldier? This box contains all the kit and uniform that a soldier would have worn. Pupils can try on the uniform and learn about how difficult it was for soldiers at this time. They can also make comparisons with soldiers fighting in wars today.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

The boot and shoe trade

Facilitated session: Museum staff offer an introductory session on the history of the Boot and Shoe trade and the process of making shoes by hand. Students use the museum displays to find out more about the industrialisation of this local industry,

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

The Collector

Loans box: Designed to inspire pupils in years 7-9 to extend their creative writing skills through the challenge of creating a collaborative chapter in an ongoing story. It uses Museum objects fro Northampton Museum's collection to encourage creative responses. With lesson plans that include suggested activities instructions and timings.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

The Victorian Child

Loans box: With replica and original items to include slates, slate pencils, good behaviour medal, flat caps, mop caps, school bell. Use for teaching students about the life of a child in Victorian Britain.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

The Victorian Home

Loans box: With replica and original items to include box iron, potty, food tin, scrubbing brush, soap and candle holder. Use for teaching sanitation, household chores and lighting in Victorian homes.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Tile painting

Facilitated session: Study art nouveau and art deco styles then decorate a tile. Contact the museum for further information. Team this session with a visit to 78 Derngate.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a session

Toys

Loans box: A collection of replica and original toys from Victorian to modern day, including mass-produced and home made examples. The box contains whip and top and skipping rope, teddy bear, Russian dolls, swing toy.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

World War One: The Northamptonshire Regiment

Loans box: The suitcase is a conceptual reminiscence, to aid teachers in interpreting the First World War. It contains original artworks, artefacts and reproduction items. The suitcase is designed to promote discussion and provoke a narrative. Rather than give an overview of the war, the suitcase is devised to provide a more human aspect - exploring the effects of the Great War on a Northamptonshire soldier and his family.

How to obtain

Phone 01604 838544 to book a loans box

Guildhall Road
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP
England

logo: Designated as an Outstanding Collection

Website

Website

www.northampton.gov.uk/museums

Twitter page

www.twitter.com/NorthamptonShoe

Facebook page

www.facebook.com/pages/Northampton-Museum-Art-Gallery/238636039494330

E-mail

museums@northampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01604 838111

Education

01604 838544

Fax

01604 838720

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
advertisement