News & Events for Wallingford Museum
Wallingford Museum is delighted to learn that The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society has received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Full details here
Full details here
Museum - Update - Summer 2020
After much thought and assessment of current risks, Wallingford Museum has reluctantly decided that it is not possible to re-open to the public at present. Sadly, we are unable to guarantee compliance with the present regulations for social distancing because of our many confined spaces and the intimate charm of our displays, which are the essence of the museum’s attraction. We also have many ‘hands-on’ experiences which cannot be safely used at present.
We will continue to assess the situation in hope that we may be able to open in 2021, and can assure everyone that we will be back in business just as soon as it is safe to re-open.
In the meantime we hope to be able to offer some guided town and castle walks with pre-booked limited numbers. Please regularly visit our website for all updated information. We also hope to be offering some new virtual glimpses of things ‘behind the scenes’ at the Museum, to compensate for being unable to open at present.
You can be assured that our volunteers are already busy developing plans and ideas for next year. We hope to have a new model of the castle, updated displays, new exhibitions, and will continue with a programme of interactive events which were so well received last year. Much to look forward to!
Judy Dewey (Curator - Wallingford Museum)
After much thought and assessment of current risks, Wallingford Museum has reluctantly decided that it is not possible to re-open to the public at present. Sadly, we are unable to guarantee compliance with the present regulations for social distancing because of our many confined spaces and the intimate charm of our displays, which are the essence of the museum’s attraction. We also have many ‘hands-on’ experiences which cannot be safely used at present.
We will continue to assess the situation in hope that we may be able to open in 2021, and can assure everyone that we will be back in business just as soon as it is safe to re-open.
In the meantime we hope to be able to offer some guided town and castle walks with pre-booked limited numbers. Please regularly visit our website for all updated information. We also hope to be offering some new virtual glimpses of things ‘behind the scenes’ at the Museum, to compensate for being unable to open at present.
You can be assured that our volunteers are already busy developing plans and ideas for next year. We hope to have a new model of the castle, updated displays, new exhibitions, and will continue with a programme of interactive events which were so well received last year. Much to look forward to!
Judy Dewey (Curator - Wallingford Museum)
To mark the start of Black History Month (October 2020) we remember Moses Roper
Moses Roper (b.1815 – d.1891) was a freed African slave who went to school in Wallingford once he came to England, and published his experiences.
He wrote: “Soon after my arrival in England, I went to a boarding-school at Hackney, near London, and afterwards to another boarding-school at Wallingford, and after learning to read and write and some other branches, I entered as student at University College, London”
Moses Roper (b.1815 – d.1891) was a freed African slave who went to school in Wallingford once he came to England, and published his experiences.
He wrote: “Soon after my arrival in England, I went to a boarding-school at Hackney, near London, and afterwards to another boarding-school at Wallingford, and after learning to read and write and some other branches, I entered as student at University College, London”
David Pedgley (local historian, who carries out documentary research), records what he has found about the school that Moses Roper may have attended:-
According to an article published in The Liberator in March 1838, Roper, having escaped slavery in the USA, had then been in England around two years (i.e. he had arrived in early 1836) and spent around 18 months in school. In his autobiography (published in 1848), he says he went to boarding-school, first in Hackney (where he stayed for ‘half a year’) and then in Wallingford. Hence it seems he came to Wallingford in late 1836 or early 1837, but left by early 1838. This is consistent with his being in Liverpool by March 1838 (Leeds Mercury 24 March), early in his tour of the country to lecture on slavery.
Where was the school that Roper attended? In 1836-1838, Joseph Tubb had the Grammar School (for boys, other schools at the time were for young ladies), probably at his house in the yard of the Bear Inn, and was paid a yearly salary of £10 from the Walter Bigg Charity. But he died in November 1838 and was quickly succeeded in December by the rev Dr William Harcourt, much to the annoyance of the rev William Oram (who had been running a ‘Classical and Commercial Academy’ in the attic of St Lucian’s house). Harcourt advertised his boarding-school for young gentlemen in the Times (9 January 1839) soon after he had been appointed master, and in Jackson’s Oxford Journal (11 January 1840) – the syllabus including 'hindoostanee’ (reflecting his early life in Calcutta) – and emphasising his superior dwelling house ‘conducive to the health and comfort of the pupils’. The 1841 census shows that this house was present-day 90 High Street (St Nicholas) with 13 pupils aged from 5 to 15. If Tubb had a comparable number of pupils, his house in the Bear yard would probably have been the one previously used by the rev William Harris as a school from soon after 1820 (when the licence for the Bear Inn came to an end so that the house became available for other purposes) until 1830 (when Harris had moved his boarding-school to St Martin’s Street).
This evidence points to the Grammar School run by Tubb as being the one attended by Roper. It was held in the master’s private house, as the Grammar School had often been over many years. It was probably a boarding-school, like its successor, but no supporting evidence has been found.
According to an article published in The Liberator in March 1838, Roper, having escaped slavery in the USA, had then been in England around two years (i.e. he had arrived in early 1836) and spent around 18 months in school. In his autobiography (published in 1848), he says he went to boarding-school, first in Hackney (where he stayed for ‘half a year’) and then in Wallingford. Hence it seems he came to Wallingford in late 1836 or early 1837, but left by early 1838. This is consistent with his being in Liverpool by March 1838 (Leeds Mercury 24 March), early in his tour of the country to lecture on slavery.
Where was the school that Roper attended? In 1836-1838, Joseph Tubb had the Grammar School (for boys, other schools at the time were for young ladies), probably at his house in the yard of the Bear Inn, and was paid a yearly salary of £10 from the Walter Bigg Charity. But he died in November 1838 and was quickly succeeded in December by the rev Dr William Harcourt, much to the annoyance of the rev William Oram (who had been running a ‘Classical and Commercial Academy’ in the attic of St Lucian’s house). Harcourt advertised his boarding-school for young gentlemen in the Times (9 January 1839) soon after he had been appointed master, and in Jackson’s Oxford Journal (11 January 1840) – the syllabus including 'hindoostanee’ (reflecting his early life in Calcutta) – and emphasising his superior dwelling house ‘conducive to the health and comfort of the pupils’. The 1841 census shows that this house was present-day 90 High Street (St Nicholas) with 13 pupils aged from 5 to 15. If Tubb had a comparable number of pupils, his house in the Bear yard would probably have been the one previously used by the rev William Harris as a school from soon after 1820 (when the licence for the Bear Inn came to an end so that the house became available for other purposes) until 1830 (when Harris had moved his boarding-school to St Martin’s Street).
This evidence points to the Grammar School run by Tubb as being the one attended by Roper. It was held in the master’s private house, as the Grammar School had often been over many years. It was probably a boarding-school, like its successor, but no supporting evidence has been found.
Guided Historical walks - now on offer!
Our experienced team are now taking bookings for historical tours of the town or castle.
These tours will follow government guidelines for Covid-19 prevention, with social distancing in place throughout and any other necessary precautions.
To Book a tour
Our experienced team are now taking bookings for historical tours of the town or castle.
These tours will follow government guidelines for Covid-19 prevention, with social distancing in place throughout and any other necessary precautions.
To Book a tour
- All bookings are via email: pburton6@talktalk.net
- Request a day and time to suit you and we will do our best to arrange it
- Request either a Town or a Castle walk
- You will be contacted by email to confirm or adjust arrangements
- Tours will meet beneath the Town Hall in Wallingford Market Place.
- You will be in a group of no more than 6 people (incl Guide) on any tour
- Cost is £10 per head, for a tour lasting between 90-120 mins.
- Payment must be made in cash on the day.
- Exact money must be handed to the guide in an open envelope on which you have written a name and phone number for each participant, to allow compliance for Track and Trace
Wallingford Museum in 2020
The Museum opened for its 2020 season on 1st March (now temporarily closed!) with a brand new local exhibition ‘Plague, Pus and Pills - the history of Wallingford’s hospitals’, which traces the story of caring for the sick from medieval times to the present day’.
It also featured the 'Willis Family paintings' exhibition.
Further details on exhibitions, click here.
We are always keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering, whether to be a custodian, assist with the archive, delve into research, assist at events, or be a walk guide etc.
If you would like to know more please contact Jenny Carpenter 01491 826734, jenacarpenter@hotmail.co.uk
Wallingford Museum in 2020
The Museum opened for its 2020 season on 1st March (now temporarily closed!) with a brand new local exhibition ‘Plague, Pus and Pills - the history of Wallingford’s hospitals’, which traces the story of caring for the sick from medieval times to the present day’.
It also featured the 'Willis Family paintings' exhibition.
Further details on exhibitions, click here.
We are always keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering, whether to be a custodian, assist with the archive, delve into research, assist at events, or be a walk guide etc.
If you would like to know more please contact Jenny Carpenter 01491 826734, jenacarpenter@hotmail.co.uk
Victory in Europe 1945
VE Day: 8 May
When Germany surrendered to the Allies on 8 May 1945 the war in Europe officially ended. All over Britain people took to the streets to hold unofficial celebrations.
At that time few people had film in their cameras and we have no pictures of these early moments of peace in Wallingford but 8 & 9 May were holidays for all the town. The official celebrations came later, in July.
First, The British Legion were permitted to hold a fete in the Castle Grounds (then private ownership) which was attended by 2,500 people. There was a display of folk and sword dancing, and the Castle Museum - which held the private collection of Sir John Hedges - was open for the public. There was also an Ankle Competition, and a Fete 'Pin-up' competition!
The Official VE Day celebration was on 30 July, when there was a large Fancy Dress parade on the Bullcroft, then a programme of sports for the children, plus bowling for a pig. In the evening there was dancing, with music and lights provided by the RAF.
There is a display in Wallingford Museum about VE Day in the town, including photos of the Coachmakers Arms on 30 July 1945. We hope you can come and pay a visit when the Lockdown permits?
VE Day: 8 May
When Germany surrendered to the Allies on 8 May 1945 the war in Europe officially ended. All over Britain people took to the streets to hold unofficial celebrations.
At that time few people had film in their cameras and we have no pictures of these early moments of peace in Wallingford but 8 & 9 May were holidays for all the town. The official celebrations came later, in July.
First, The British Legion were permitted to hold a fete in the Castle Grounds (then private ownership) which was attended by 2,500 people. There was a display of folk and sword dancing, and the Castle Museum - which held the private collection of Sir John Hedges - was open for the public. There was also an Ankle Competition, and a Fete 'Pin-up' competition!
The Official VE Day celebration was on 30 July, when there was a large Fancy Dress parade on the Bullcroft, then a programme of sports for the children, plus bowling for a pig. In the evening there was dancing, with music and lights provided by the RAF.
There is a display in Wallingford Museum about VE Day in the town, including photos of the Coachmakers Arms on 30 July 1945. We hope you can come and pay a visit when the Lockdown permits?
Flint House (now the home of Wallingford Museum) might have looked like this on VE day???
'Nation's Toast to the Heroes of WW2'
We would have liked to invite you to join us in the 1945 Bar at Wallingford Museum in May to take part in the 'Nation's Toast to the Heroes of WW2' !
This unique opportunity was to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today.
However, the Bar had to remain closed ....... and so we were pleased that you raised a glass at home, instead.
Our barmaid making preparations for the 1945 Bar earlier this year.
Can you Face it?
~ postponed until later date ~
With a brief introduction to forensic science and plenty of imagination you too can make your own facial reconstruction, complete with eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, hair and ears.
We have the "skulls", play dough, and know how. We just need your family to come and share the fun. Once your reconstruction is complete, take your own snapshot as a souvenir.
We plan to run this at a later date !
~ postponed until later date ~
With a brief introduction to forensic science and plenty of imagination you too can make your own facial reconstruction, complete with eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, hair and ears.
We have the "skulls", play dough, and know how. We just need your family to come and share the fun. Once your reconstruction is complete, take your own snapshot as a souvenir.
We plan to run this at a later date !
Medicine through Time - Drop in
~ postponed until later date ~
Explore the history of medicine in thirteen objects.
A supervised drop in session at Wallingford Museum to explore and handle interesting objects; with thanks to Reading Museum Schools Loans Service.
Further details, click here
We plan to run this at a later date !
~ postponed until later date ~
Explore the history of medicine in thirteen objects.
A supervised drop in session at Wallingford Museum to explore and handle interesting objects; with thanks to Reading Museum Schools Loans Service.
Further details, click here
We plan to run this at a later date !
Wallingford Museum Bookshop
Book-lovers and present-seekers should make a point of visiting Wallingford Museum’s bookstall.
We have an excellent selection of good second-hand books (both fiction and non-fiction) at sensible prices.
Once the Museum re-opens, we’ll be open during the normal Museum opening hours too.
We look forward to seeing you - it's free to browse!
Book-lovers and present-seekers should make a point of visiting Wallingford Museum’s bookstall.
We have an excellent selection of good second-hand books (both fiction and non-fiction) at sensible prices.
Once the Museum re-opens, we’ll be open during the normal Museum opening hours too.
We look forward to seeing you - it's free to browse!
New Visitor and Archive Facilities; and Archaeological Store
Wallingford Museum is extremely pleased and grateful to announce that it was awarded a grant by the LEADER fund to extend and improve its facilities.
These new facilities (collections and archaeological store, space for group visits, disabled toilet, new kitchen) have now been completed.
For further information, please click here.
