Visitors can also see the impressive winding engine which once took pitmen to the coalface and brought coal to the surface, now operated by an electric motor.
Jo Cunningham, Manager of Sunderland Museums said,“Washington ‘F’ Pit is a valuable monument representing the importance of the coal mining industry to the North East and its residents. It is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to get a taste of what life was like for miners and their families.”
By 1870, ‘F’ Pit had become the largest coal-producing pit at the colliery. In 1947 it was taken over by the National Coal Board but by the late 1960s, the colliery did not fit in with the National Coal Board’s vision of Super Pits. ‘F’ Pit was closed on 21 June 1968 when the last coals were drawn to the surface.
The winding house and headgear were presented by the National Coal Board to the people of Washington and it remains today as a tribute to the miners and their work.
Admission to Washington 'F' Pit is free and the site is open seasonally.
]]>In the Museum, discover the history of the city from its prehistoric past to the present day. Exciting displays interpret the wide variety of collections, using hands-on exhibits, computer interactives and video presentations.
The Art Gallery features paintings by L S Lowry together with Victorian masterpieces and artefacts from the four corners of the world.
The stunning Winter Gardens stimulate the senses with over 2,000 flowers and plants brought together in a spectacular showcase of the world's natural beauty.
The museum holds an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions which are accompanied by activities and events for all ages.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of Sunderland City Council.
]]>The Museum is home to George Stephenson's 'Billy', a forerunner of the world- famous Rocket. 'Billy' is joined by many other engines from the great age of steam including 'Jackie Milburn', named after the Newcastle United legend.
Discover how trains work with interactive exhibitions and learn about the impact of coal and electricity on ordinary people's lives.
Fun events and activities for all ages take place throughout the year.
Stephenson Railway Museum is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of North Tyneside Council.
The Museum has three main displays: Tales of South Tyneside, which explores the local and social history of the area during the twentieth century together with the lifetime achievement of the successful local author Catherine Cookson. Art Adventure takes a fresh approach to the interpretation of many of the Museum's paintings. Changing Faces charts the history of South Tyneside from the Bronze Age to the twentieth century through the Museum's archaeological, natural and historical collections.
The museum has regular exhibitions and a range of activities and events to suit all ages. Most of the events, like the Museum, are free of charge. Visit the What's On section for details.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of South Tyneside Council.
]]>The Gallery has recently undergone a £650,000 redevelopment and March 2008 saw the opening of the new Designs for Life gallery. This permanent gallery is home to hundreds of objects made in many parts of the world over the past 2000 years. These objects range from the special and unique to the everyday and mass-produced. They take us on a journey to explore the huge variety of ways in which we use the material world to express ourselves and to enrich our lives.
The Shipley also boasts a spectacular collection of fine art, including William Irving's painting The Blaydon Races.
Henry Rothschild Study Centre
The Henry Rothschild Study Centre enables the Gallery to present a superb collection of 20th century ceramics amassed by Henry Rothschild (1913 – 2009), founder of the shop Primavera. The collection includes work by leading ceramicists working in Britain and internationally since the 1950s.
Shipley Lounge
The Shipley Lounge gives families an opportunity to take a break from the galleries and enjoy hot and cold drinks. With a play area and high chair provided, the Lounge provides the ideal environment for young children to have fun whilst the grown ups relax!
The Gallery stages a varied programme of temporary exhibitions as well as regular events and activities for all ages.
The Shipley Art Gallery contemporary craft collection book is available to buy from our online shop.
Shipley Art Gallery is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of Gateshead Council.
]]>At both museums we strive to make our collections and the information we hold about them accessible to everyone. Members of the Collections Access Team provide a range of tours and visits to suit all needs including large groups, family groups and facilities for study visits by individual researchers. There is also an outreach service to communities across the region.
At the Regional Resource Centre storage is provided in environmentally controlled conditions for a wide range of small and medium-sized objects. There is a purpose built and well equipped Collections Access Room for study visits, meetings and presentations. We also provide a service to local groups and societies by providing safe and accessible storage for their important collections through the Heritage Cubes project.
Regional Museums Store
The Regional Museums Store is a huge warehouse which contains a wide range of unique artefacts that represent the north east of England's rich industrial, maritime, transport and agricultural heritage. Many items would have been scrapped if the museums had not rescued them. Some are also very large, and therefore difficult to accommodate in conventional museum buildings. They are now an important learning resource, and their preservation will encourage and support future museum developments across the region.
During the summer season, visitors to Beamish can see some of these items from a viewing gallery. To see more you can book a free place on one of the occasional guided tours of the building led by staff from both museums. Alternatively, contact us to arrange a special tour as group.
Heritage Cubes Project
Through the innovative Heritage Cubes project we provide safe and accessible accommodation for the collections of many heritage groups, along with training in collection care.
Several interactive galleries have been created as part of a £1million redevelopment of the museum, making the history of travel and transport in Tyne and Wear fun and exciting.
Monkwearmouth Station Museum features many personal stories, evoking fond memories of an age when Monkwearmouth was the main station for the city and the building buzzed with the excitement of the people passing through. The station has once again been brought to life through its inspiring displays and renovated interior making it an important landmark for the region’s railway heritage.
The Journeys Gallery
The Journeys Gallery explores every aspect of journeys and why people make them.
The gallery features a wide variety of themes including 'A Trip to London', 'War Time Journeys' and 'Food on the Move', as well as rare film footage of Sunderland in the early 1900s.
Visitors are encouraged to hop on board and take the driving seat of an original Sunderland bus cab - a must for all young adventurers!
The Children's Gallery
Come and have fun in the specially designed Children's Gallery. Jump aboard the play train and see how it feels like to be at the controls. Discover the fabulous dressing up box where you can become a fireman, a paramedic or even a policeman. The gallery also features a wide range of transport related toys and books to keep the kids busy. Let your imagination run free in the most interactive gallery in Sunderland!
Booking Office
Monkwearmouth Station is brought to life in the original 1860s booking office. Meet David Thompson Hide the station master and learn more about his life in the Station and his home in the rooms above.
Monkwearmouth Shop
The museum shop sells a wide range of transport themed books, toys and stationery.
Platform Gallery
Watch modern day Metro trains pass by the station platform and learn more about the types of trains which used to run through every day.
Monkwearmouth Station Museum is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of Sunderland City Council.
The Gallery has a packed programme of free events which include gallery talks, family activities and artists’ events.
The impressive permanent collection can be enjoyed throughout the season with dynamic landscapes by John Martin and sculpture by Henry Moore. There are events throughout the year including talks from leading contemporary artists and fun activities for families. Many of these events, like the gallery, are free of charge.
The works on show change regularly to show the impressive range of art in the collection so please contact the gallery if you wish to see a particular piece of work.
Visit the Things to See and Do pages to find out more about the Laing's current exhibitions and events.
The Gallery also has a shop and cafe.
The Laing Art Gallery is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of Newcastle City Council.
]]>The Hatton stages a highly-regarded programme of historical, modern and contemporary art exhibitions. Over recent years this programme has included major historical monographs, diverse partnership projects and exciting new commissions from leading contemporary artists. On permanent display is Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbarn, considered by many to be one of the seminal artworks of the twentieth century.
The Hatton’s permanent collection comprises over 3,500 works, ranging from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, and includes works in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. Artists represented in the collection include such diverse and important artists as Francis Bacon, Walter Sickert, Tiburzio Passarotti, John Martin, Patrick Heron, William Roberts, Richard Ansdell, Richard Hamilton and John Graham Lough.
The Hatton Gallery also runs an impressive learning programme involving schools, individuals & community groups. The programme engages participants through a variety of drop-in activities, formal workshops and long-term partnership projects.
The Hatton Gallery is now part of the Great North Museum. The new £26 million museum can be found on the site of the former Hancock Museum. The Great North Museum combines the designated natural history collections from the former Hancock Museum with some of the country's finest Greek and Etruscan objects from the former Shefton Museum and the significant prehistoric, Roman and Anglo-Saxon collections of the former Museum of Antiquities with the magnificent fine and decorative arts from the Hatton.
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