The £10 millions state of the art building opened just last October but has already been declared the 2009 winner of the UK's biggest single arts award, the Arts Fund Prize, which has added £100,000 to the museum's coffers.
The prestigious accolade is a fitting tribute to the achievements of the small but dedicated team at the Museum. They have painstakingly assembled an exhibition of more than 5,000 items to provide a detailed insight into the development of the world famous ceramics company since its foundation two and a half centuries ago.
Wedgwood Museum at Barlaston Just Yards From Wedgwood Visitors Centre
The Museum is located just yards from the entrance to the Wedgwood Visitors Centre and within the grounds of the company's factory which is very much open for business after successfully negotiating a period of financial uncertainty at the start of 2009.
Its display cabinets contain examples of virtually every ceramic range Wedgwood has produced since Josiah Wedgwood threw the first vase in the mid 18th century.
The Museum’s Learning and Access Manager, Nigel Spicer is keen to point out that the Museum is "much more than just a collection of pots" which is almost an understatement as everything on view to the public has amazing diversity and depth.
Wedgwood Museum Exhibits Divided Between Three Galleries
Exhibits are divided between three galleries dealing with the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Apart from examples of Wedgwood products they also feature
- original models
- manuscripts
- letters
- examples of factory equipment
- examples of trials carried out by Wedgwood
- fine art including portraits of Josiah Wedgwood and his family by Stubbs
- A factory fire engine which is almost 230 years old
The division between each gallery is clearly marked by a change of flooring. Information displays adjoining the exhibits explain their significance and reveal interesting facts about Josiah Wedgwood's family.
Extensive use is made of computers to ensure the museum appeals to as wide an audience as possible. One of these exibits allows visitors to take a virtual tour of Etruria, the factory opened by Josiah Wedgwood in 1769 which remained in use until 1950.
Most of the Etruria complex beside the Trent and Mersey Canal has now disappeared but the virtual representation on show in the Museum provides an opportunity to see what life and work were like at the site during the company's heyday.
Another exhibit allows visitors to have their side profile featured on a Wedgewood cameo. These appear on the Museum's website the following day.
Wedgwood Museum Located at Wedgwood Drive in Barlaston in Staffordshire
The Wedgwood complex of which the Museum is a part is located at Wedgwood Drive in Barlaston. The Museum is totally accessible to wheelchair users with information displayed at a level well within their line of vision.
It is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays and from 10.00am to 5.00pm at weekends. Admission costs £6.00 for adults, £5.00 for concessions or £4.50 for children. A ticket allowing access to both the Museum and Visitor Centre costs just £9.00. Under fives are not charged. The telephone number is 01782 371911.
Neil Greenlees - Neil Greenlees (www.greenleesjournalism.com) originally intended to pursue a career in the travel industry but decided to change direction ...
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