Yorkshire Museum

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk

Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Roman

Remains: Museum

History

The Yorkshire Museum is located within the Museum Gardens on Museum Street in York, England. The site originally belonged to St Mary’s Abbey, a medieval religious institution. In 1828, the Yorkshire Philosophical Society (YPS) was granted 10 acres of this land by royal decree to establish a museum dedicated to geological and archaeological collections. The surrounding grounds were required to be maintained as botanic gardens, now known as the Museum Gardens.

The main structure, designed in Greek Revival style, is a Grade I listed building, reflecting its exceptional historic and architectural importance. Adjacent to the museum is Manor Cottage, historically used as the curator’s residence.

Within the museum, permanent collections include Roman artifacts displayed in dedicated galleries. Among these is a notable stone inscription commemorating the Ninth Legion’s reconstruction of Eboracum’s fortress wall, dated between 107 and 108 AD. This inscription provides direct evidence of Roman military activity and construction in the area.

The museum grounds, known as the Museum Gardens, were originally laid out as botanic gardens following the royal grant conditions. These gardens form an integral landscaped setting for the museum. The site also includes the Tempest Anderson Hall, built in 1912 as an annex. This early reinforced concrete building serves as a venue for conferences and lectures.

Despite damage to its roof and windows during the 1942 bombing, the museum building remains structurally intact. The interior was refurbished between 2009 and 2010, with redecoration and restructuring carried out mainly by museum staff. The collections and displays continue to preserve and present archaeological finds.