A major exhibition called “Hospital Street: A Street Through Time” has opened at Nantwich Museum.
It tells the story of one of the main and most important streets in the town and runs until September 12th.
Produced by the museum’s Research Group, it recounts the development of the street from pre-historic times to the present day encompassing the infrastructure, services, commerce and some of the key people.
Once a main throughfare leading from the ford across the river towards the Midlands and London, it pointed the way towards Chester and onward to Wales.
Its name stemmed from the Hospital and Chapel of St Nicholas, thought to have been established in Norman times, which provided hospitality for travellers and care for the poor and sick, eventually giving the street its name.
A new painting by the museum’s artist Les Pickford depicts the working building.
A first for the museum is a large extraordinary 4m long detailed plan of the street prepared by the museum’s designer Paul Topham which maps the changes in buildings through time, whilst consideration is given to the changing layout and architecture.
The street evolved to become an elite residential address with supporting trades, schools and chapels into the bustling commercial and service centre and popular mix of shops, public houses, residential properties and commercial outlets it is today.
It can even lay claim during the seventeenth century to being a Parliamentary HQ during the English Civil War.
Museum manager Kate Dobson said: “We’ve welcomed the reminiscences and contributions from local residents and every effort has been made to integrate it with the permanent museum displays and items from its collection.”
The exhibition features a number of activities, and is accompanied by a series of workshops and talks.
Entry is free to the museum and exhibition. The museum in Pillory Street is open from 10am – 4pm (Tuesday – Saturday).
For further information contact: Nantwich Museum on [email protected] or telephone 01270 627104.
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