Create mermaids and fabulous creatures at one of Buxton Museum's free events, taking place in various venues this summer.
The events will be held in Buxton during July and August and will not only provide entertainment and educational opportunities for families over the school holidays but will also be an opportunity for the museum and art gallery to continue its work and maintain a presence in the town while the museum is closed.
The museum and art gallery in Peak Buildings on Terrace Road has been closed to the public since June 2023 after structural investigation work revealed dry rot in structural timbers and floor joists, making parts of the building potentially unsafe.
Although initially a temporary closure, a decision to permanently relocate the museum from Peak Buildings was announced in May.
Making the announcement about the permanent relocation, Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said we had been left with no choice following ongoing buildings assessments which had revealed the potential costs and length of time which could be needed for the authority to bring the building back into use as a modern-day museum.
Work is continuing to look for a suitable alternative new home for the museum and art gallery. We are engaging with partners and having positive discussions with High Peak Borough Council, on a range of options.
We are also encouraging engagement with local interest and heritage groups, urging them to work with us to suggest and discuss alternatives and explore options.
Museum staff are currently putting together an interim service to ensure residents and visitors can still access some of the artefacts and displays, and these events are the first to be announced.
The museum team will be working with local artist and storyteller Creeping Toad, to run the events which celebrate the people, wildlife and histories of Buxton and the Peak District.
As well as being free, no tickets or booking are needed, with people encouraged to drop by and join in. The activities take around 30 to 45 minutes each and all materials will be provided.
Councillor Barry Lewis said:
“I’d like to reiterate earlier reassurances made that we remain fully committed to supporting the museum service and to ensuring its future in Buxton for the long term.
“A lot of work and planning is going into ensuring a strong interim service while we work on a long-term solution for the museum, and these events are just the start of what will be on offer in Buxton and then more widely.
“We want the collections to be as accessible as possible to as many people as possible and as suitable venues and opportunities are identified that is what we will deliver.”
The free events are:
In Prehistoric Seas
Participants will make a prehistoric rock pool from an ancient Derbyshire sea
Thursday 25 July 2024, 10.30am to 3.30pm
The classroom, Buxton Country Park, Temple Rd, Buxton, SK17 9DH
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop by and join in
Those taking part will be asked to imagine what animals they might find on a walk along a beach 290 million years ago as Derbyshire limestone was being formed under the waves, from trilobites, ancient fish, ammonites to belemnites and beautiful corals.
Mammoths and sabre-tooths
Participants will make an Ice Age animal mask
Thursday 1 August 2024, 10.30am to 3.30pm
The classroom, Buxton Country Park, Temple Rd, Buxton, SK17 9DH
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop by and join in
Those taking part will be asked to think about a time when mammoths and scimitar-toothed cats lived and roamed the area, or maybe wild horses, fierce wolves and even a museum bear. They will be able to make their own Ice Age animal mask then go for a walk and take photos of their creative wild animals in the woods of Grin Low.
The Haunted Houses and Lost Palaces of Buxton
Participants will be asked to `invent the streets we never knew we had’
Thursday 8 August 2024, 10.30am to 3.30pm
Pump Room, The Crescent, Buxton, SK17 6BH
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop by and join in
Inspired by the buildings of Buxton, people taking part will go to town and invent some new houses. There might be spectacular palaces, sinister dens, beautiful gardens and haunted houses. Then they can add the adventurous people of Buxton exploring their streets.
Graceful Gargoyles and Fierce Faces
Those taking part will be told, `there’s always someone watching you!’
Thursday 15 August 2024, 10.30am to 3.30pm
Pump Room, The Crescent, Buxton, SK17 6BH
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop-by and join in
There are carved faces all over Buxton: smiling kings, beautiful women, dragons and monsters. Those taking part will help to invent some new ones. With folded card or heads of clay they’ll take part in inventing characters they would like to meet.
Mermaids and Fabulous Creatures
Make a world of underwater wonders!
Thursday 22 August 2024, 10.30am to 3.30pm
Buxton Library, Kents Bank Road, Buxton, SK17 9HW
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop by and join in
Buxton Museum's Mermaid is one of the town’s favourite residents. While she is not available for visitors just now, people will be encouraged to create some glamorous new mermaids. There might be colourful fish, krakens and sea monsters as well – all inhabitants of a mysterious world!
Unexpected Treasures and Marvellous Wonders
Visit the pop-up museum and make your own display box
Friday 23 August 2024, 10.30am to 4pm
The Assembly Rooms, The Crescent, Buxton, SK17 9BH
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop by and join in
At this event the museum's new pop-up collection will feature unusual finds from Buxton. From mastodon teeth to Buxton diamonds to paintings by Henri Matisse. Inspired by that collection, participants will work with artists to make their own Cabinet of Curiosity to take home to display their own collection of wonders. They will also be able to make a colourful badge of their favourite discovery to wear.
Victorians, Romans and Wild Cave People
Peg-doll people and colourful dioramas
Thursday 29 August 2024, 10.30am to 3.30pm
Buxton Library, Kents Bank Road, Buxton, SK17 9HW
Tickets: no tickets needed, just drop by and join in
From quick dioramas to adventurous peg-dolls, participants will make the landscapes and people of old Buxton. From the first residents of Poole's Cavern to Roman legionaries and inventive Victorians on penny-farthings, helping to draw, shape and make the people of the town.
More information
Find more information about the events.