On Thursday 20th June, Soroptimist International Richmond and Dales held its monthly meeting at the Richmondshire Museum. This was in celebration of 50 years since the inception of the Museum led by members of SI Richmond and Dales. We were joined by our guests for the evening, Regional President Susie Westwood and Regional PA Officer Linda Davies.
The business meeting was followed by a fascinating talk by Museum Trustee Mike Wood about the origins of the Museum. This was followed by a “custom” tour of the museum led by 3 of the Trustees. We were delighted to be joined by our Honorary Member Shirley Thubron, who was one of the original group of Soroptimist activists and is still a Trustee of the Museum 50 years on.
In 1974, the Soroptimists of Richmond & Dales noted the sad fact that Richmond – despite its magnificent history – had no Museum to celebrate it. Being Soroptimists, they decided to do something about it. Led by then President Molly Faulkner, members Shirley Thubron, Sheila Harrisson and Shirley Dick set out organising a meeting in the Town Hall to promote the idea and gather volunteers. They contacted every organisation they could think of, lobbied the District Council, and involved their husbands and friends. As a result of the meeting, a Steering Committee was established – including our Soroptimists.
The first task was to find a home. After exploring options, the District Council agreed to make available a derelict former Joiners Shop & flat above in Ryders Wynd, where the Museum is to this day. Grants were applied for to help with the building work, and much was also carried out by volunteers. The Museum opened its doors in 1978, and has been expanded by incorporating neighbouring property over the years. Another wing was created by rescuing the timbers of a medieval “cruck” house demolished in Ravensworth and rebuilt on the site. Construction assistance also came in the form of stairs built by boys at the local Approved School, and plastering & wiring carried out by inmates of the local prison!
Ryder’s Wynd is unfortunately not the easiest place to find, so in the early days visitors had to be encouraged by the volunteers. Shirley Thubron would leaflet tour buses on arrival in the town, helpfully pointing out that the Museum had toilets. Currently the Museum gets about 3,000 visitors a year, many of them school visits, and has been awarded a “Best Small Museum” title. Ticket income is still the main source of revenue, together with donations, occasional legacies, and grants – in particular from the Town Council and the Guild of Fellmongers, but the Museum is far from well off.
COVID meant two years with next to no income, whilst at the same time heating costs rose dramatically. (Maintaining a suitable temperature is essential for conserving the items held in the Museum.) Mike confirmed that the Museum is just holding its own, but cannot afford to innovate or modernise as they would like. They have only one ½-time professional employee, so depend heavily on the team of volunteers and the Trustees to keep going. More volunteers are always welcome.
On our tour we saw fascinating displays covering many aspects of Richmondshire history, ancient and modern: through the Iron age, Roman occupation, Anglo-Saxon settlement, Norman Conquest, Medieval growth and Georgian splendour, to a new display depicting 1960’s popular culture. There are domestic interiors of various periods, industry from lead mining to lacemaking, retail trades – including a complete pharmacists shop from 1950’s, and many more. The gradual expansion of the building has resulted in many “compartments” which have led to it being called a Tardis. It is a remarkable institution, and well deserving of its high reputation.
We finished the evening off by sharing wine and a large celebration cake with the Trustees, and wish them well for the future.
On our tour we saw fascinating displays covering many aspects of Richmondshire history, ancient and modern: through the Iron age, Roman occupation, Anglo-Saxon settlement, Norman Conquest, Medieval growth and Georgian splendour, to a new display depicting 1960’s popular culture. There are domestic interiors of various periods, industry from lead mining to lacemaking, retail trades – including a complete pharmacists shop from 1950’s, and many more. The gradual expansion of the building has resulted in many “compartments” which have led to it being called a Tardis. It is a remarkable institution, and well deserving of its high reputation.
