Sometimes a dream comes true and it did in Monk Fryston in November. Our third Legacy project the creation of a Mini Museum to house and display a selection of the best of the artefacts we discovered during our excavation actually happened!
We had been told by everyone involved in Archaeology that museums were bursting at the seams and unless we had something exceptional our prize finds would finish up in a repository and probably never be seen again.
We were determined that this should not happen – after all we have discovered some very rare finds which are very special to the residents of Monk Fryston.
We had been told by everyone involved in Archaeology that museums were bursting at the seams and unless we had something exceptional our prize finds would finish up in a repository and probably never be seen again.
We were determined that this should not happen – after all we have discovered some very rare finds which are very special to the residents of Monk Fryston.
We worked closely with the owners of Monk Fryston Hall Hotel, Sharon Mason and Geoff Davis, to identify a suitable public space for the three large exhibition cases to house over 50 items. One of the key criteria was that we all wanted the public, as well as hotel guests and residents, to be able to have free, unrestricted, access to the mini museum.
A wonderful and appropriate solution was found and agreed. It is a large, walk-in, bay window area in the oldest public part of the Hall dating from the Elizabethan period on the first floor above the reception lounge.
Having agreed the location, the next task was to find display cabinets to fit the available space in keeping with the hotel décor and style and most importantly within budget. After a long search the cabinets were found; the next task was to choose what to display and how to display them.
Having agreed the location, the next task was to find display cabinets to fit the available space in keeping with the hotel décor and style and most importantly within budget. After a long search the cabinets were found; the next task was to choose what to display and how to display them.
We have never ceased to be amazed throughout the project how solutions to problems seem to ‘pop up’. By a complete chance we found through a contact at Pontefract Museum that probably the best artefact display specialist in England doesn’t live very far away. Soon afterwards agreement was reached, he set to work and everything came together in November. Alongside the numbered exhibits are short explanations of each item. Members of the public can visit the museum free of charge during normal hotel opening hours.
As a matter of courtesy please report to Reception prior to visiting the first floor.
As a matter of courtesy please report to Reception prior to visiting the first floor.
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