Now, I have to tell you, this museum goes way back, all the way to 1906 when the City and County Museum was founded. The first curator, Arthur Smith, was quite the natural history enthusiast. He collected everything from bugs to butterflies, flies to bird specimens. I guess you could say he was a collector extraordinaire!
But let's not forget about the Usher Gallery, which was built to house the collection of James Ward Usher. He must have had a serious love for art to leave funds for a whole gallery! The Usher Gallery is actually the only purpose-built public art gallery in Lincolnshire. Impressive, right?
The museum and gallery are now housed in a purpose-built building, designed by the talented architect Sir Reginald Blomfield. It's quite the sight to see, with stone and brick panels, pilasters, and even a broken pediment. I must say, the Prince of Wales must have had good taste, as he officially opened the Usher Gallery back in 1927.
In 2005, a new building was added to the mix, designed by Panter Hudspith Architects. They even conducted an archaeological excavation before building, and guess what they found? A corner of a mosaic-paved passage from Roman times! Talk about a hidden treasure!
Inside the museum, you can journey through time, starting from the Stone Age all the way to the Medieval period. They've got it all covered, from Roman occupation to Viking invasions. And don't forget to check out the Horncastle boar's head from the Anglo-Saxon era. It's quite snoutstanding!
So, grab your sense of adventure and immerse yourself in the history and art at The Collection. It's a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment!
Eager to learn more about the history, buildings or the exhibits? Simply drop your inquiries in the chat section and I'll provide the details you need.
