Abergavenny Museum

 

 

The Castle, Castle Street Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 5EE. Tel: 01873 854282

 

Abergavenny Museum and the Castle grounds are open every day except Wednesdays, 11am - 4pm. Entry is free, except for a few special events. See more details here - www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk

 

Follow the Museum on Facebook at MonLife Heritage Museums or on Twitter @Monlife_Heritage to find out about events and courses on Art History and other subjects. Discover historical objects, works of art, photographs and documents cared for by MonLife Heritage here - https://www.monlifecollections.co.uk/

 

The Museum is in the grounds of Abergavenny Castle where you can explore the ruins and read the information panels or have a picnic at the tables scattered around the grounds. The view from outside the Museum entrance is lovely. Explorer packs are available for children. There is a small shop with a good selection of books and gifts. Exhibitions are changed regularly and benefit from a "listening post" and a screen to show exhibition related images, both funded by the ALHS.
 

 

Museum History

Friends of Abergavenny Museum committee saved the crumbling Regency 'Castle House' on the site of the Norman keep from demolition. They raised funds to create the first Abergavenny Museum in 1959. The committee went on to found Abergavenny Local History Society. The chairman of the committee was Alfred Jackson while his brother Ernest, was the secretary. Duggan Thacker was the skilled curator of the museum.

 

The museum was handed over to Abergavenny Council in 1971 - commemorated in the Jackson plaque alongside the path leading to the museum.
 

On display are remains excavated from the area and items donated by local benefactors, illustrating many different eras. Recreations of a Victorian Welsh farmhouse kitchen, a saddler's workshop and Basil Jones's grocery shop remind people of the more recent past. A spooky air raid shelter enables children to re-create some of the atmosphere of the Second World War. Whiskey the Turnspit Dog has long been a favourite with visitors.