|
The Priory Lodge 89 High Street Ware Herts SG12 9AL telephone 01920 487848 fax 01920 467868 email David Perman, Curator
Volunteers from Ware Museum taking part in an archaeological dig on the Market Square site in West Street, Ware, in November 1998.
Ware Museum, founded in 1986, is an independent museum run by volunteers and supported by Ware Town Council and the Ware Society. There is a permanent exhibition on the town's history and four temporary displays each year.
The collection includes a large array of Roman archaeology and social history of the town, including photos and tools of the malting industry and of D Wickham & Co Ltd, railcar manufacturers and exporters throughout the world.
Following its rebuilding in 2001, Ware Museum reopened on with a splendid new building and new displays. New features include the refurbishment of a concrete wartime Report and Command Bunker in which school parties (and others) have a hands-on experience of sounding the sirens and controlling the emergency services during an enemy air raid. There is also be major displays of Roman archaeology and the malting industry.
One unexpected bonus during the re-building work was the discovery of a medieval well in the museum garden and excavated by our volunteers. It is three metres deep to water level, lined with flints and, lower down, fine chalk blocks bearing masons' marks. Finds from the well included timbers, a wooden bucket base, a fine knife with tiny silver studs in its bone handle, and 13th and 14th century pottery. Dr Clive Partridge, who supervised the excavation, believes that the well can be compared with that which the Templars built at Cressing Temple, Essex. The Ware well probably belonged to the Franciscan Friary (now called "The Priory") and can now be viewed in the Museum garden.
Winter Opening Hours October to March Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 11am - 4 pm. Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2 - 4 pm.
Summer Opening Hours April to September Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 11am - 5 pm. Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2 - 5 pm.
Group visits by appointment (01920 467868).
Admission is free but we ask for a minimum donation of £1 from adults (all children go free).
Ware Museum, Priory Lodge, Ware High Street
Archaeological handling kits (Roman) are available to primary schools in Ware and the immediate area, including teachers' notes (apply to the museum).
Education sheets on pre-historic, Roman & Saxon Ware, also farming and the malting industry, are available to all schools and other groups with a visit from a volunteer.
The museum can be opened for school parties by appointment.
WEBLINK |
|