Museum sketch

Welcome to the Grassington Folk Museum in Upper Wharfedale

We have reminders of yesteryear... exhibits of lead mining, minerals, craft tools, lathes, Dales farming, period costumes, domestic accoutrements, World War II memorabilia, folk lore and the days of the Yorkshire Dales Railway recalled.

The musuem will be closed until the middle of June 2012 due to building work (see news below).

Latest news

Grassington Folk Museum Wins Heritage Lottery Fund Support

Wednesday, 14th March 2012

Heritage Lottery Fund logo
Grassington Folk Museum Wins Heritage Lottery Fund Support
Museum wins Heritage Lottery Fund support See a bigger picture of Grassington Folk Museum winning Heritage Lottery Fund Support

The Upper Wharfedale Museum Society will be literally 'raising the roof' after news today that it has obtained funding worth nearly £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting new project entitled The Crowther Room. Work on the new room will begin in mid March involving the removal of part of the existing roof to create additional head room in the upper floor area, providing a dedicated work space, and archive storage.

The project is named after John Crowther, the Victorian antiquarian who lived in Grassington and founded the first museum. The new space will offer improved facilities for research and study by visitors, community and staff.

The Museum, which is run by volunteers, has, in addition to its permanent display, a large and fascinating collection of artefacts and documents illustrating the life, industry and traditions of the area. It will soon be possible to display these in special exhibitions and forge closer links with community groups, schools and Grassington Hub.

Commenting on the award, David Pritchard, Chairman of UWMS said "I was delighted in December when we had our 100,000th visitor through the door and now we have secured this Heritage Lottery Funding which will enable us to unlock the full potential of this important collection and we anticipate the work to be completed by the end of June this year. 2012 is going to be a very exciting time for volunteers and visitors alike!"

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund - Yorkshire and the Humber, said "Grassington Folk Museum is an important resource for the community as it tells the story of the Upper Wharfedale's domestic, industrial and geological heritage. We are proud to support this fantastic project that will enable the Museum to open up its collections for the community to explore and enjoy."

The 100,000 ticket sold for entry

Saturday, 10th December 2011

The 100,000 ticket sold for entry
The 100,000 ticket sold for entry See a bigger picture of the 100,000 ticket sold for entry
The 100,000 ticket sold for entry commemorative plate
Commemorative plate See a bigger picture of the the 100,000 ticket sold for entry commemorative plate

At 11.45am on December 10th 2011 the 100,000th ticket was sold for entry to Upper Wharfedale Folk Museum during the Grassington Dickensian Festival. The ticket was sold to Mr John Vernon and his wife Jenny who were visiting from Chester. They were given a commemorative plate, made for the museum by local craftsman David Ashby, of the Courtyard Pottery in Grassington and presented by David Pritchard, Chairperson of the Museum Committee, and Elaine Clare, a trustee of the museum. The Huddersfield Town Crier, Vic Watson, added colour and volume to the occasion by announcing the event to the assembled throng.

The Museum depends on the support of the public who pay a small entrance fee to look around the local collection of memorabilia, including lead mining, agriculture, all housed in the cottage in the square. So thanks are expressed to all the visitors to the museum since the opening in this venue in 1979 – and to the army of volunteers who have kept it going during that time.