We (Natalie & I)
have lived in and around Lincoln for forty years but had never
visited the Museum of Lincolnshire Life until August 2013.
Location.
It is situated on
Burton Road, Lincoln, housed in a former military barracks that were
built in 1857 as the home of the Royal North Lincoln Militia. The
buildings were in continuous use for military purposes until 1963.
Close by is the City's impressive 'Cathedral Quarter' which includes
the Cathedral and the Castle.
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| Main Entrance - Museum of Lincolnshire Life |
Having eventually
found somewhere to park our car, within reasonable walking distance;
we entered the red brick Victorian Grade 11 listed buildings via the
main entrance archway, above which is the regimental badge of the
original occupants.
The staff manning
the entrance and gift shop gave us a friendly welcome. We were given
a leaflet explaining the route we should follow to get the best
experience from our visit. I mentioned our forty-year delay in
calling in and the amiable assistant said “I'm sure you will find
the wait worthwhile.”
The exhibits
displayed cover the period from 1750 to the present time encompassing
examples of agricultural and rural life, local industry, transport,
military history, and Victorian life at home and work.
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| Bedroom |
The walkabout
starts in the domestic zone with room layouts for the bedroom,
kitchen, parlour and finally the washhouse. For visitors in their
senior years the artefacts on display should bring back memories, the
majority good but some not so, of life in their early years, and
those of their parents and grandparents.
 |
| Kitchen |
 |
| Parlour |
 |
| Wash House |
 |
| Sadler's Workshop |
Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
Passing through the
stable, the saddler's and blacksmith's workshops, you arrive at the
military galleries. This interesting area shows the history of the
Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and its forebears. Details are displayed
of the daily life of soldiers through the years, the uniforms worn,
the equipment used, the campaigns that were fought throughout the
world, the stories of gallantry and the medals awarded.
The tour continues
into the weakest, disappointing transport area containing a few
exhibits of modes of travel. Amongst them a small number of bicycles,
motorcycles, three horse-drawn carriages and a 1920 Bullnose Morris
car.
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| Can you remember where you rode these bicycles? |
A tank called Flirt.
Stepping into the
industry and agriculture gallery the most impressive exhibit is the
genuine First World War tank called 'Flirt'.
Lincoln was renowned for
its engineering skills and was the birthplace of the military tank.
There are examples of industrial engines, steam engines and farm
equipment designed and built by indigenous companies; whose presence
now only exists in the city and the county as names of streets and
buildings.
The final section
is the commercial area. Here one can reminisce amongst the Victorian
and Edwardian shops of the Ironmonger, Basket Maker, Printer, Post
Office, Draper, Chemist, and General Store.
Goal achieved.
The museum's aim is
to 'reflect the history and culture of the people of
Lincolnshire': it achieves that. Our two-hour travel back in time
was an enjoyable and informative experience. The welcoming assistant
was correct: our visit was worthwhile.
© Elliot Sampford 2013
© Elliot Sampford 2013
How interesting. My kind of tour, most definitely. I didn't know tanks were built in Lincoln. Thanks for posting this.
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