New special exhibitions for 2020
Exciting new special exhibitions at Wallingford Museum
the plague doctor
‘Plague, Pus and Pills’ is the deservedly graphic title of our main exhibition. It traces the fascinating history of Wallingford’s hospitals, caring for the sick in the town from medieval times to the present day. Its portrayal of the challenges of dealing with plague, leprosy, smallpox, scarlet fever and other such outbreaks, as well as more common illness and disabilities, brings the past vividly to light.
Outbreaks of infectious diseases were always much feared, and in the 18th century smallpox was a killer.
So don’t be squeamish – be brave enough to come and explore our family friendly exhibition and find out just why we are so lucky to live in the 21st century!
Outbreaks of infectious diseases were always much feared, and in the 18th century smallpox was a killer.
So don’t be squeamish – be brave enough to come and explore our family friendly exhibition and find out just why we are so lucky to live in the 21st century!
Wallingford Bridge with the Gas Works, drawn by George Willis and engraved by his brother William.
Our second exhibition of 'Willis family of Wallingford - artists and artisans' brings to life the work of a local family. The Willis family came to Wallingford from Hagbourne in the early C19 living and working in High Street and what is now The Dolphin public house. An industrious Quaker family, all of their six sons had artisan or professional careers. This exhibition spotlights the careers of George (1822-1907) an artist who depicted local scenes, and flora and fauna for engraved book illustrations, and William (1814-1883) also an artist but whose main business was engraving and inventing ways to fix early photographs. He patented the aniline process of copying and his son, also William (1841-1923) patented what became the universally acclaimed and commercially successful platinotype process.
(The Willis exhibition is housed in our meeting room, which may occasionally be in use. Please check in advance if you are coming to view this in particular.)
Our exhibitions for 2020 also include: 'Wallingford Castle - the Inside Story'; 'The Wallingford Story' ; 'At home with the Queen of Crime - Agatha Christie', and the 'Midsomer Murders' display.
Wallingford Castle: the Inside Story features a wonderful new painting - this one
by one of our talented Museum volunteers, June Strong. June has magnificently tackled
the huge task of depicting Wallingford Castle as it might have been in the late 14th century.
This new ‘artist’s impression’ not only includes all the latest interpretation of the layout of the
buildings but brings to life many details gleaned from the newly translated medieval
documents. It makes a striking impact above the reception desk and features in many of the
new panels in the exhibition which display a very accessible digest of the newest research
into this vastly important royal castle.
Of course our 'resident' attractions also include 'The Wallingford Story' - a walk through time!
And there is much more besides: a chance to see some of the finds recovered from the medieval cemetery of St Martin's (that lies beneath you as you shop in Waitrose!), the permanent exhibits about the history of Wallingford and some of the letters of 'Queen of Crime', Agatha Christie, whose 42 years living in the town will be specially featured.
There is also the ever-expanding exhibition 'At home with the Queen of Crime: Agatha Christie' where new information has been presented that has been learned from several people in the town who came into contact with the famous crime writer. You can also see the 'Midsomer Murders' display, showing the Wallingford connections with this popular TV series.
And if you come early in the season, your £5 entry ticket will give you terrific value, as you’ll be able to return as many times as you like for no extra cost. Of course accompanied children are FREE, and there’s plenty on offer for them too, including a Quiz and I-Spy sheet plus all the favourites - sandboxes, ‘touchy, feely, drawers ‘ and now even more 'hands-on' things to do.
Look out for special events during 2020 including Castle history walks, our regular Saturday Town History walks, many family-friendly events and workshops, BunkFest offers, and Agatha Christie events.
Lots of fascinating things to see and enjoy!
In addition, the highly successful Museum bookshop, with a good range of local history titles, and with its constantly changing stock of good second-hand books (both fiction and non-fiction _ all modestly priced) will also be open. Do please continue to donate your second-hand books!
The Museum is open from 3 March until 28 November 2020 on:-
Tuesdays - Fridays 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Saturdays 10.30am to 5.00pm
Sundays (June, July, August only) & Bank Holidays 2.00pm to 5.00pm
All for just £5 for an adults season ticket, and FREE for accompanied children!
++ Please note that some exhibitions are located in our upper gallery - click here for accessibility details ++
(The Willis exhibition is housed in our meeting room, which may occasionally be in use. Please check in advance if you are coming to view this in particular.)
Our exhibitions for 2020 also include: 'Wallingford Castle - the Inside Story'; 'The Wallingford Story' ; 'At home with the Queen of Crime - Agatha Christie', and the 'Midsomer Murders' display.
Wallingford Castle: the Inside Story features a wonderful new painting - this one
by one of our talented Museum volunteers, June Strong. June has magnificently tackled
the huge task of depicting Wallingford Castle as it might have been in the late 14th century.
This new ‘artist’s impression’ not only includes all the latest interpretation of the layout of the
buildings but brings to life many details gleaned from the newly translated medieval
documents. It makes a striking impact above the reception desk and features in many of the
new panels in the exhibition which display a very accessible digest of the newest research
into this vastly important royal castle.
Of course our 'resident' attractions also include 'The Wallingford Story' - a walk through time!
And there is much more besides: a chance to see some of the finds recovered from the medieval cemetery of St Martin's (that lies beneath you as you shop in Waitrose!), the permanent exhibits about the history of Wallingford and some of the letters of 'Queen of Crime', Agatha Christie, whose 42 years living in the town will be specially featured.
There is also the ever-expanding exhibition 'At home with the Queen of Crime: Agatha Christie' where new information has been presented that has been learned from several people in the town who came into contact with the famous crime writer. You can also see the 'Midsomer Murders' display, showing the Wallingford connections with this popular TV series.
And if you come early in the season, your £5 entry ticket will give you terrific value, as you’ll be able to return as many times as you like for no extra cost. Of course accompanied children are FREE, and there’s plenty on offer for them too, including a Quiz and I-Spy sheet plus all the favourites - sandboxes, ‘touchy, feely, drawers ‘ and now even more 'hands-on' things to do.
Look out for special events during 2020 including Castle history walks, our regular Saturday Town History walks, many family-friendly events and workshops, BunkFest offers, and Agatha Christie events.
Lots of fascinating things to see and enjoy!
In addition, the highly successful Museum bookshop, with a good range of local history titles, and with its constantly changing stock of good second-hand books (both fiction and non-fiction _ all modestly priced) will also be open. Do please continue to donate your second-hand books!
The Museum is open from 3 March until 28 November 2020 on:-
Tuesdays - Fridays 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Saturdays 10.30am to 5.00pm
Sundays (June, July, August only) & Bank Holidays 2.00pm to 5.00pm
All for just £5 for an adults season ticket, and FREE for accompanied children!
++ Please note that some exhibitions are located in our upper gallery - click here for accessibility details ++
Permanent Exhibitions
At home with the ‘Queen of Crime’: Agatha Christie
Featuring the world-renowned author who lived with her archaeologist husband Max Mallowan in Winterbrook House,Wallingford, from 1934 till her death in 1976. Many of her novels were written there. The house (a private residence) lies in the parish of Cholsey, just outside the Wallingford town boundary, and is identifiable by its Oxfordshire Blue Plaque.
Agatha Christie shopped regularly in Wallingford but worshipped at her parish church in Cholsey, where she now lies buried with her husband in the churchyard.The exhibition takes you behind the scenes to her home life, featuring photographs of her at Winterbrook House and memories of local people who met her. You can read several personally handwritten letters which reveal her love of pantomimes and her gradual frustration as her health declined in her final years. Many stories have been gathered from Wallingford and Cholsey people who knew ‘Mrs Mallowan’ – people who visited her, served her in shops, worked for her at Winterbrook House and even interviewed her.
Agatha Christie was a very private person, something Wallingford has always respected, but this exhibition opens the door just enough to give poignant and fascinating glimpses of the local life of the world’s most famous and best-selling writer, rightly dubbed ‘The Queen of Crime’.
Our galleries also include The Wallingford Story - a fascinating walk through time from the Roman period, through the building of the Alfred's Saxon burh, to the Norman Conquest and the building of the royal castle which was to become one of the largest in the land.
There are features on Wallingford's many medieval churches, the Priory, the coming of the Black Death, the Mayor and Corporation - and the Town Pillory which towers above you!
In the Hutchinson Room a series of interconnecting room sets include a shop, a pub, a workshop and a church. In these areas are displayed a changing range of objects from the 18th to 20th centuries, portraying every-day life in this Thames-side market town.
Agatha Christie shopped regularly in Wallingford but worshipped at her parish church in Cholsey, where she now lies buried with her husband in the churchyard.The exhibition takes you behind the scenes to her home life, featuring photographs of her at Winterbrook House and memories of local people who met her. You can read several personally handwritten letters which reveal her love of pantomimes and her gradual frustration as her health declined in her final years. Many stories have been gathered from Wallingford and Cholsey people who knew ‘Mrs Mallowan’ – people who visited her, served her in shops, worked for her at Winterbrook House and even interviewed her.
Agatha Christie was a very private person, something Wallingford has always respected, but this exhibition opens the door just enough to give poignant and fascinating glimpses of the local life of the world’s most famous and best-selling writer, rightly dubbed ‘The Queen of Crime’.
Our galleries also include The Wallingford Story - a fascinating walk through time from the Roman period, through the building of the Alfred's Saxon burh, to the Norman Conquest and the building of the royal castle which was to become one of the largest in the land.
There are features on Wallingford's many medieval churches, the Priory, the coming of the Black Death, the Mayor and Corporation - and the Town Pillory which towers above you!
In the Hutchinson Room a series of interconnecting room sets include a shop, a pub, a workshop and a church. In these areas are displayed a changing range of objects from the 18th to 20th centuries, portraying every-day life in this Thames-side market town.
In addition, there are features on:
- Transport, including a splendid illuminated scale model of Wallingford Station, and the River Thames with models of locks and weirs and the twenty-arch Wallingford Bridge.
- The Civil War, in which Wallingford Castle played a key role for the Royalist cause.
- Famous 18th century Judge Sir William Blackstone, author of the world-famous Commentaries on the Laws of England.
- Prehistoric and Roman finds including a Roman skeleton from an excavation in nearby Crowmarsh.
- Midsomer Murder connections with Wallingford
- Famous Victorian Artists, James Hayllar and his daughters and nearby neighbour George Dunlop Leslie.
- Regular changing special exhibitions on different aspects of the history and archaeology of Wallingford.