Powysland Museum in Welshpool was established by a local history society, the Powysland Club, in 1874 and housed in a purpose-built museum on Salop Road. In 1974 the running of the museum was taken over by Powys County Council, but, by then, it was obvious that the building was no longer suitable as a museum and in 1990, the collections were moved to an old warehouse by the Montgomery Canal, which had been carefully restored and refurbished to house a modern museum. The museum collections cover the archaeology and social history of the old county of Montgomeryshire and the three permanent galleries give a fascinating insight into the past of Montgomeryshire from pre-historic settlers until today. Its archaeological exhibition contains exceptional local finds from the Stone and Bronze Ages as well as the Roman and Medieval period. While the social history galleries include interesting items relating to French Prisoners of War during the Napoleonic Wars, the Montgomery Canal and the two local railway lines as well as life during the Victorian era, the two world wars, The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, Laura Ashley and the county's agricultural history. The museum's fourth gallery is reserved for temporary exhibitions. The museum has an active, temporary exhibition programme with four to six displays per year on a wide variety of topics. The museum also runs activities for children and their families during most school holidays. Powysland Museum appeals to all ages and all types of people and we look forward to welcoming you.
Based on a private collection of a local shopkeeper, Mr. Tom Hamar, which in 1932, due to its popularity, was re- housed in part of the ground floor of the Town Hall, built in 1780 by the Earl of Powys.
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