Powysland Museum

In 1867 the Powysland Club was founded by members from in and around Welshpool who shared an interest in history, especially of Mid Wales. Several had their own collections of interesting items and it was decided to bring these artefacts together to form a museum. A piece of land was purchased and a Museum was erected and opened in 1874.

In 1990 the collection moved to a former warehouse on the Montgomery Canal, which had been extensively but carefully renovated so as to retain its character whilst providing a secure and comfortable environment for the collection and visitors alike. In 1993 the museum won the Gulbenkian Award for most improved museum in a rural area.

The groundfloor displays illustrate the history and development of life in Montgomeryshire from the earliest prehistoric settlers to the 20th century population. In the entrance hall to the museum the visitor is reminded of the initial purpose of the building as a warehouse. There is an exhibition of agricultural tools, stock-farming implements and dairying equipment, which reflects the fundamental part played by farming in the growth of the economy and society of the area since the very earliest times.

Also on show are collections depicting the development of the canal and the railway systems which have similarly had a tremendous effect on the character of the county. The second room on the ground floor has changing exhibitions.

The first floor houses the archaeological gallery and the displays start with an exhibition on the history of the collections and the museum. Then the displays focus on the history of Montgomeryshire. The archaeological finds include both those made by the members of the Powysland Club and those which have come from more recent scientific excavations carried out by the Clwyd -Powys Archaeological Trust.

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