Friday 25 November 2016

Lancaster Maritime Museum

There is snow on the fells and frosty starts to the days here so I thought this view of Lancaster Maritime Museum in winter would be appropriate for the time of year.  The museum is located by the side of the River Lune on St George's Quay and its original purpose was as a Customs House. You will observe that the Georgian building is surrounded by what were originally bonded warehouses.  The building was designed by Richard Gillow (architect and cabinet maker) and built in 1769, closing as a Customs House in 1882 when the customs were transferred to Barrow and much later opened as a museum in 1985. In the terrible winter storms last year the museum was flooded and has been closed for repairs but part of the collection housed in the adjoining warehouse has just reopened.

The museums in Lancaster face an uncertain future due to local government cuts.  The Judges Lodgings which houses a wonderful collection of Gillows furniture and a childhood museum is closed, there have been murmurings about changes, none of them good, to the main museum as well as the Maritime Museum seen on the postcard.    


Postcards for the Weekend theme - Museum/University Library - learn more at Connections to the World.

6 comments:

Scriptor Senex said...

Let's hope that government cuts and floods leave Lancaster alone in the future. What a shame the Judges' Lodgings is closed.

Mail Adventures said...

It's a pity, the cuts... Being a lighthouse lover, I never miss maritime museums when travelling. I have visited quite a number, and I find them always interesting!

This winter picture is very nice.

Helen said...

Beautiful card, sad to hear the museums are possibly in peril. I hope things work out in favour of the museums.

John's Island said...

Hi Joy, What an interesting card and perfect for the theme. There is a Maritime Museum here in Seattle. Your card encourages me to go visit. Thanks for sharing and linking up.

Maria said...

Hi Joy, thanks for sharing this card & information about it. I've visited only one maritime museum and it's in Stockholm. Your post makes me dream of what's inside this one.

MY POSTCARD-PAGE said...

Beautiful winter scene of this museum and in a great location!