Museum displays incorporate films, audio tracks, display panels and objects from the museum’s rich collections. Information sheets help interpret the fascinating prison building in which the museum is based. There are also quiz sheets and hands-on displays for children to enjoy.

Wymondham and its people

Displays and collections tell the story of Wymondham and introduce characters from the town’s past. Highlights include:
• medieval pilgrimages and Wymondham Abbey
• brush making at Briton Brush Factory
• the Great Fire of 1615 and the Market Cross
• Victorian games and pastimes
• a re-creation of a 1930s ‘Damgate’ general store
• farming with horse power
• Wymondham and World War Two

Women making domestic brushes at S.D.Page and Sons, Wymondham, in 1901

Attempts to control a blaze using a fire hook and water tankards, 1608

 

Crime and punishment

A specially commissioned film tells the story of the Bridewell’s past as a prison, police station and courthouse. There are also displays and atmospheric original items such as a police cell, ankle chains, handcuffs and truncheons.

Handcuffs to restrain prisoners

19th century truncheon [on right]

 

New for 2010

1. New display boards
Three new permanent display boards now deal with Early Wymondham, the Fire of 1615 and the history of the Market Cross. The intention is to provide visitors with outline information that can be taken in quickly. For those who want more detail pamphlets are available in the museum shop.

 

A section of the Early Wymondham new display

Two sections from the new Great Fire display

 

2. History of the Wymondham Guides
This display marks the one hundreth anniversary of the foundation of the Guide movement and tells the the local story of the Guides.

 

The story of Dolly Kent and the formation of the 2nd Wymondham Guides in 1930

A poster celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Guide movement

Study collections of photographs relating to the history of the local Guides

 

3. The Home Guard
The story of Norfolk's Home Guard and 'secret army' 1940-44 – a unique collection of photos, records and personal memories.

 

4. Victorian christening wear
Examples of christening shawls and clothes from the late Victorian period and early 20th century.

 

 

5. Edwardian Picture Gallery
In addition to our Victorian Picture Gallery we now have one devoted to photographs dating from approximately 1907-1909. The Edwardian photographs have been taken from glass plate negatives donated by Mrs Cora Knighton (neé Wymer), mainly of Kimberley Park where her grandfather (Herbert Palmer) was gamekeeper.