Museum Exhibitions


	Home News History Exhibitions Services Friends Contacts Links Shop

Exhibitions

This historic 'London Stone' which is now part of the Spelthorne Museum collection.

The Museum is devoted to the history of Spelthorne, and is the only establishment of this kind in the Borough. It is devoted to the history of Spelthorne, including Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell and Sunbury. The archaeology collection is one of major importance in Surrey. The Museum has many permanent displays including:

Prehistoric Spelthorne

Woolly Mammoths in Staines! Ice Age mammoth teeth and tusks found during local gravel extraction.

Interior of Museum: Mammoth Display

Roman Staines

The Roman town of Ad Pontes was of strategic importance as it was located at the only crossing point of the River Thames upstream from London on the road to Silchester. Much Roman material has been, and is still, found in the Borough, particularly in the Staines area. Spelthorne Museum holds the second largest collection of Roman material in Surrey. On display is a selection of Roman artifacts ranging from roof tiles to a baby's feeding bottle. There is a reconstruction of a Roman shop and a model of how the town might have looked.

Interior of Museum: Some of the many finds from the Roman town of Ad Pontes ( Staines ) and the surrounding area.

The London Stone

The London Stone, dating from 1285, which used to mark the jurisdiction of the City of London over the Thames as far as Staines

Interior of Museum:The London Stone

Brewing and Bottling

In earlier times, due to the many impurities found in water, beer was considered a safer drink as the brewing process killed many germs. There were many brewers in the area but the two major ones were Ashby and Harris. Artificial mineral waters were also manufactured. A display has some of the history of these industries.

Interior of Museum: Brewing and Bottling display, on opening day

Fire!

Since the Museum was formally located in the Old Fire Station there is naturally a display devoted to the history of the Fire Service in Spelthorne. Pride of place goes to the 1738 Staines Parish Fire Engine made by Richard Newsham of London.

Interior of Museum:1738 hand pumped fire engine from Staines

Staines Linoleum Industry

The only display in the Museum dedicated to one company. The 'Staines Lino Factory' was the first factory in the world to manufacture linoleum, a type of floor covering, which was available to everyone. The factory was set up in 1864 and continued to make linoleum for over 100 years and made 'Staines Lino' a world wide name. The word linoleum is formed from the Latin words for flax or linseed "linum" and oil "oleum".

Victorian Kitchen

Staines developed rapidly during Victorian times and this display represents a part of a kitchen in a small house or cottage. The focal point would have been a coal or coke-burning range, which provided both heat and cooking facilities. Other items includ e a washing tub and dolly and a mangle, most of the items have a local connection.

Victorian Kitchen exhibit at Fire House venue.