Exhibitions
This historic 'London Stone' which is now part of the Spelthorne Museum collection.
The
Museum is devoted to the history of Spelthorne, which includes
Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell and
Sunbury and is the only establishment of this kind in the
Borough. 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 Old
Fire Station venue.
1 Elmsleigh Road, Staines TW18
4PM
Phone: 01784 461
804
Email:
info@spelthornemuseum.org.uk