Introduction Wardown Park Museum, located in Luton, United Kingdom, is a museum that showcases the traditional crafts of Bedfordshire, notably lace-making and hat-making. The museum is housed in Wardown House, a large Victorian mansion built in 1879 by Frank Chapman-Scargill. The estate was later acquired by Luton Council in 1904 and transformed into a public park with extensive improvements, including the construction of a bowling green and the transfer of the Luton Museum to the house in 1931.
The Museum Wardown Park Museum (United Kingdom)
Introduction
Wardown Park Museum, located in Luton, United Kingdom, is a museum that showcases the traditional crafts of Bedfordshire, notably lace-making and hat-making. The museum is housed in Wardown House, a large Victorian mansion built in 1879 by Frank Chapman-Scargill. The estate was later acquired by Luton Council in 1904 and transformed into a public park with extensive improvements, including the construction of a bowling green and the transfer of the Luton Museum to the house in 1931.
Collections
The museum has a collection of circa 700 hats and pieces of headwear, making it an essential stop for hat enthusiasts. The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment gallery, produced by the Imperial War Museum, explains the history of the local regiment. Additionally, the first floor galleries were refurbished and opened as the Luton Life displays in February 2003, showcasing stories of Luton people over the past 150 years.
The ground floor displays include the Living Landscape gallery, which displays local archaeology and natural history, including the Shillington Roman coin hoard and an Iron Age mirror. The museum also has a collection of paintings by various artists, such as
Theodor Kern, whose works are exhibited in the museum.
Regimental Museum
Wardown Park Museum is also a regimental museum, dedicated to the history of a specific army regiment. The museum displays the history of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, providing insight into the regiment's past and its significance in British military history.
The Wenlock Jug
One of the museum's most significant artifacts is the Wenlock Jug, a rare surviving example of an English bronze jug from the 15th century. The jug was nearly sold to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art for £750,000 but was export-stopped in October 2005 by culture minister, David Lammy. Instead, it was bought by Luton Museums Service for 300 times its normal annual acquisitions budget to equal the offer of the Metropolitan.
Conclusion
Wardown Park Museum is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike, showcasing the traditional crafts of Bedfordshire and the history of the local regiment. With its extensive collections and significant artifacts, such as the Wenlock Jug, the museum provides valuable insight into Luton's past and its cultural significance in British history.
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