Monkwearmouth Station Museum at risk of closure
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:46 pm
Most members of this forum will know, and some will have visited, Sunderland's Monkwearmouth Station Museum. The museum occupies and enables year-round visitor access to one of Sunderland's most striking architectural gems. The building was originally opened in 1848 as the terminus of the line from Newcastle promoted by George Hudson. Inside there is a striking NER booking hall and ticket office. It is deservedly Grade 2* listed. See the links below for more on its history.
Aside from the architecture, the museum displays some very important railway exhibits including a NER V4 brake van of 1916 and a LNER CCT (covered carriage truck) of 1939, both splendidly restored. The vehicles are accompanied by specially commissioned film revealing the work of the goods guard and the role of the railway in the transport of horsedrawn and motor vehicles. Monkwearmouth is especially popular with children and families; its displays cover all forms of transport around Wearside, not just railways, and the Metro trains which pass between the platforms every few minutes add immensely to the atmosphere of the place.
Sunderland City Council is currently threatening to close this cherished and highly regarded museum from the beginning of April. The Friends of Sunderland Museums (FOSUMS) broke the story to the media last week. The Council was clearly caught out by FOSUMS' spirited campaign (they probably planned to reveal nothing until the closure was 'done and dusted'). The Council's Leader is now saying that it will be 'just a short term mothballing'. However, once the galleries are closed to visitors we can be assured that the Council will have its way, and it must be highly unlikely that the museum will reopen.
The Council hasn't revealed what it intends to do with the property but there are fears that it may be leased, or even sold, for commercial use.
A Save Monkwearmouth Station Museum page has been opened on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682029245387988/
I will post more information shortly, including ways to support the campaign should you feel so inclined. Meantime here are links to some of last week's press and media coverage:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-35586611
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/history-n ... -1-7732967
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/loca ... -1-7735763
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/history-n ... -1-7740242
Thanks for reading.
Monkwearmouth
Aside from the architecture, the museum displays some very important railway exhibits including a NER V4 brake van of 1916 and a LNER CCT (covered carriage truck) of 1939, both splendidly restored. The vehicles are accompanied by specially commissioned film revealing the work of the goods guard and the role of the railway in the transport of horsedrawn and motor vehicles. Monkwearmouth is especially popular with children and families; its displays cover all forms of transport around Wearside, not just railways, and the Metro trains which pass between the platforms every few minutes add immensely to the atmosphere of the place.
Sunderland City Council is currently threatening to close this cherished and highly regarded museum from the beginning of April. The Friends of Sunderland Museums (FOSUMS) broke the story to the media last week. The Council was clearly caught out by FOSUMS' spirited campaign (they probably planned to reveal nothing until the closure was 'done and dusted'). The Council's Leader is now saying that it will be 'just a short term mothballing'. However, once the galleries are closed to visitors we can be assured that the Council will have its way, and it must be highly unlikely that the museum will reopen.
The Council hasn't revealed what it intends to do with the property but there are fears that it may be leased, or even sold, for commercial use.
A Save Monkwearmouth Station Museum page has been opened on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682029245387988/
I will post more information shortly, including ways to support the campaign should you feel so inclined. Meantime here are links to some of last week's press and media coverage:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-35586611
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/history-n ... -1-7732967
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/loca ... -1-7735763
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/history-n ... -1-7740242
Thanks for reading.
Monkwearmouth