Fascinating glimpses of the past as Lancashire's heritage steps into the spotlight
Captivating tales of bygone times will be brought to life this week as some of Lancashire’s most illustrious buildings open their doors for free.
Libraries, archives, castles and museums across the county will put their heritage in the spotlight with events, tours, talks and fun activities all part of the annual Heritage Open Days Festival, which runs this year from Friday 6 September to Sunday 15 September.
Lancaster
Highlights in the first weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September include the historic Judges’ Lodgings Museum in Lancaster. The city's oldest townhouse will open for free to the public on both days from 11am to 4pm, including exhibitions, house tours, a Victorian tea room and expert talks. Booking for the tours, which take place from 11.30am to 2.15pm on both days, can be made here.
The hidden recesses of Lancaster Castle are also set to open for free on Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September, both from 10am until 4pm. People will be able to glimpse inside ancient features like the old court, Hadrian’s Tower, the old cells, the Drop Room and the courtyard, to name but a few. For further information, click here.
East Lancashire
A trip back in time will be on offer at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum in Rossendale from 11am to 4pm from Friday 6 September to Sunday 8 September, when members of the public can visit the viaduct to find out more about its fascinating history. There will also be a rare chance to see an old, coal-fired chip shop range, one of Lancashire's 50 objects at the museum. Visitors can find out more about it in a special talk at 11am on Saturday 7 September from the curator Philip Butler.
A rare chance to find out about Burnley's footballing greats will be available at the Clarets' Collection exhibition, a fan-led collection at Burnley Library, celebrating the history of Burnley Football Club. The collection will be open to the public on Saturday 7 September and Tuesday 10 September from 2pm to 2.45pm on both days.
Meanwhile, Clitheroe Castle Museum will offer free admission to the museum at their event on Saturday 7 September from 11am until 4pm, which includes a range of family friendly activities at the historic landmark. To find out more, click here.
Highlights of the second weekend on Saturday 14 September include the Queen Street Textile Museum in Burnley, which will open for free from 11am to 4.30pm, where visitors will be able to witness the last steam-powered weaving shed in the world, the 130 year old Lancashire looms and staff dressed in Victorian costume as well as finding out more about cotton-weaving mills throughout the decades.
A chance to explore Gawthorpe Hall near Padiham and find out about those who lived there will be on offer on Saturday 14 September when the hall opens for free from noon to 4pm. Attractions include the new Gawthorpe Textiles Collection displays and Account of Life exhibition, the Victorian kitchen in the basement and the much-loved grounds and walled garden.
Gawthorpe Hall
Preston
The spotlight will fall on County Hall in Preston from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturday 14 September. Designed by Victorian architect Henry Littler and visited by none other than King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, the iconic building which dates back to 1882 and serves as the current base of the county council, will be hosting free tours, talks, family friendly activities and refreshments. Bookings can be made for the talks on our Open Day event webpage.
Also among the highlights on the day at County Hall on Saturday 14 September will be a chance to visit the Lancashire Archives as well as to find out more about the council's fascinating ‘50 objects project,’ involving displays of 50 local artefacts to mark the modern county council's 50th anniversary. These include a 16th century pilgrim badge currently on display at Clitheroe castle Museum, and a lady’s sewing box dating back to 1808 at the Judges’ Lodgings Museum in Lancaster.
The Lancashire Conservation Studios in Preston will also be running two fascinating Heritage Open Days, the first of which will be on Wednesday 11 September between 3.30 and 7.30pm, when there will be an opportunity to meet the curators and conservators of the Museum Service and a chance for people to have their family items identified by these experts.
The second takes place on Sunday 15 September, and will see a number of tours around the specialist conservation studios where people can witness the work undertaken by Lancashire's own 'Repair Shop' experts.
At both events there will be a chance to see the Bond Mini car, built in Preston and one of the key items of Lancashire in 50 Objects project.
Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for Community and Cultural Services, said:
"We are absolutely thrilled to join this national celebration of our country's great heritage, in this landmark year of our 50th anniversary celebrations as a modern county council.
"These events provide a fascinating and in-depth insight into the rich and diverse stories of Lancashire’s past, and we would urge everyone to take advantage of the opportunities for education and cultural enrichment that the County Council offers."
For more details about Lancashire’s Heritage Open Days this year, including admission and how to book, as well as other upcoming events, visit LCC Events (lancashire.gov.uk)