Grosvenor Museum, Chester
27 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DD
England
Website
ruth.marshall@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone
General Switchboard
01244 402033
Central Office
01244 402008
Fax
01244 347587
The Grosvenor Museum was founded in 1885 and its origins are linked to the foundation of the Chester Society of Natural Science Literature & Art by Charles Kingsley (the famous author)in 1871. The museum is redbrick, designed by Thomas Meakin Lockwood of Chester and was built with money partly donated by the first Duke of Westminster. The Museum is famous for an internationally important collection of Roman Stones but also has collections of Art, Silver, Social History & Natural History. There is a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions. The Museum shop is well worth a visit and we have strong community links and an active education service.
Venue Type:
Museum
Additional info
We run a wide range of activities for children particularly in school holidays. Please note for events involving children - Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult at all times - and in general children should always be accompanied.
27 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DD
England
Website
ruth.marshall@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone
General Switchboard
01244 402033
Central Office
01244 402008
Fax
01244 347587
Primarily Roman, including an internationally important collection of Roman Stones, and archaeological finds from the surrounding area - the collections also covers Fine Art, Natural History, Local Silver, Period House Room displays & small costume gallery, Timeline gallery. Rolling programme of varying temporary exhibitions.
Collection details
Weapons and War, Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Personalities, Natural Sciences, Music, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Louise Rayner
- Charles Kingsley
- Victorian costume
- Edwardian costume
- Delamere Horn
- Agricola lead pig
- Willoughby Gardiner coin collection
- Medieval shoes
- Extensive Chester Silver collection
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
27 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DD
England
Website
ruth.marshall@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone
General Switchboard
01244 402033
Central Office
01244 402008
Fax
01244 347587
Paintings by Gainsborough, Claude and van Diepenbeeck
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) was one of the founding fathers of British Landscape painting. His 'Coastal Scene' powerfully conveys the drama of nature. The enchanted pastoral vision of 'The Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Claude Lorraine (1600-82) is an exquisite example of his work. The dramatic 'Conversion of St Paul' by Abraham van Diepenbeeck (1596-1675) shows the strong influence of Rubens. These paintings are graciously lent to the Museum by the Duke of Westminster.
Suitable for
- All ages
Where
Grosvenor Museum Art Gallery
Admission
free
Georgian Chester: The City in Art
Georgian Chester was a prosperous and fashionable city. Its appearance was transformed between 1714 and 1837 as the medieval gates in the city walls were replaced with new archways, the canal was constructed and the Groves were laid out. Buildings both old and new were given handsome brick facades as seen in the terraces of Abbey Square and Nicholas Street and the era reached a monumental climax in the masterpieces of Thomas Harrison's castle and the Grosvenor Bridge. Come and enjoy the elegance and grandeur of Chester's Georgian architecture as depicted in watercolours, drawings and prints.
Suitable for
- All ages
Where
Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery Two
Admission
free
Workwear: Dressed for the Job
Many people wear special clothes to work. This small exhibition looks at both practical clothes and ceremonial uniform, contrasting a labourer's cotton smock with a footman's gold braided livery, sternly functional civil defence uniform with a Javelin mans Tudor style clothes and a hair stylist's simple dress with an alderman's fur trimmed gown.
Suitable for
- All ages
Where
Grosvenor Museum, Costume Gallery
Admission
free
Reap and Tillage: The Vikings in Cheshire
Devastating Viking raids on the east coast of England in the 8th century AD led to their conquest of almost half the country. Our own region's experience featured mostly peaceable activity. A coin mint flourished in Chester and trade links with other Viking settlements around the Irish Sea made the city wealthy. This exhibition explores the Viking heritage of Cheshire, looking at why they came here, how they lived, and the evidence they have left behind. Exhibits include loans from National Museums and Viking sculptures from local churches.
Suitable for
- All ages
Where
Grosvenor museum Exhibition Gallery One
Admission
free
10-10-10: 50 Years of The Weirdstone of Brisingamen
This exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Cheshire author Alan Garner's book 'The Wierdstone of Brisingamen' which has never been out of print. The book is based in Cheshire's Alderley Edge and this is a fantastic opportunity to discover the story, the Wizard Legend, Alderley Edge and the life and works of Alan Garner, with archaeology from the Edge and objects that inspired Alan's writing. It is also the first public opportunity to see the portrait of Alan Garner by BP Portrait Award winner Andrew Tift, commissioned specially for this exhibition.
Suitable for
- All ages
When
12-12am
Where
Grosvenor Museum Exhibition Gallery Two
Admission
free
27 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DD
England
Website
ruth.marshall@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone
General Switchboard
01244 402033
Central Office
01244 402008
Fax
01244 347587
Watercolour Walkabout
Patricia Kelsall is a local artist whose meticulous, yet always lively, watercolours of Chester's architecture can be seen in our 'Georgian Chester' exhibition. Join Patricia for a walk to see and sketch three of Chester's Georgian buildings, then return to the museum to work one of your sketches up into a finished piece.
When
10:30am-3pm
Where
Grosvenor Museum Education Workroom
Admission
Meet in the Museum's entrance hall - please bring suitable clothes and a packed lunch. All materials will be provided.
£5 book at the Museum shop on 01244 402005
Change & Continuity: Chester in the Georgian Age
British history in the Georgian age is one of contrasts. Significant political and constitutional change, particularly in the relationship between Crown and Parliament, overlay stable government. Such stability underpinned 18th century British society, but social tensions arising from crime, riot and religious dissent were equally apparent. This lecture by Dr Keith McLay, Head of History and Archaeology at the University of Chester, examines Chester's history within the political and social contrasts of Georgian Britain.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
2-3pm
Where
Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre
Admission
Free
Heritage Open Days
The biggest free celebration of our architectural heritage in Britain. Discover Chester's Water Tower and some of the medieval characters you would have come across in Chester. More information at www.heritageopendayschester.co.uk
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- All ages
When
11am-4pm
Where
Water Tower Chester City Walls
Admission
Free drop in event
Living Gladstone's Heritage, Gladstone's Living Heritage
William Ewart Gladstone was four times Prime Minister,
greatly disliked by Queen Victoria and loved to chop down trees! He also owned a large estate at Hawarden in North Wales. Get a fresh insight into this amazingly strong characters' life.
When
7:30-9pm
Where
Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre
Admission
members free, non members £4 students £2. please pay on the door
Our Loyal City: Chester in the Civil war
In 1643 Royalist Chester was preparing for war. The city was battered, breached and beseiged but fought bravely - if in vain - to support King Charles I. Join a Chester Tour Guide for a walk around the sites of the bombardment and defences of the citizens who were'kept in perpetual alarm' over 350 years ago.
When
1:30-3pm
Where
starts at Chester History & Heritage
Admission
£5 - £4 concessions book at Chester History & Heritage (on Bridge St Chester) close to the Grosvenor Museum. Book at Chester History & Heritage 01244 402110.
Art Gallery Tour
Discover a rich array of paintings, sculpture and furniture spanning half a millennium of art. A special highlight will be the paintings by Gainsborough, Claude, and van Diepenbeek on loan from the Duke of Westminster, seen beside the museum's own collection of British and Continental art.
When
2-3pm
Where
Grosvenor Museum art Gallery
Admission
Free
Victorian Harvest Weekend
Join the Stretton millers for the last open weekend of the year and help celebrate a Victorian style harvest. There will be period music from local musician Roy Clinging and chances to help with apple pressing and butter making. See displays of traditional harvest tools and make your own straw dolly. Have a taste of some traditional harvest fayre and play some old fashioned games
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- All ages
When
12-5pm
Where
Stretton Watermill, Farndon Cheshire
Admission
Free drop in event
The Big 'Weirdstone' Draw
Join artist Dai Owen who will help you learn how to illustrate characters from Alan Garner's wonderful book 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen'.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Where
Grosvenor Museum Education Workroom
Admission
£3 per child book at the museum shop on 01244 402005. 11.30-1pm and 2-3.30pm
27 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DD
England
Website
ruth.marshall@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone
General Switchboard
01244 402033
Central Office
01244 402008
Fax
01244 347587
27 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DD
England
Website
ruth.marshall@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone
General Switchboard
01244 402033
Central Office
01244 402008
Fax
01244 347587
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