Philosophical Foundations: The Origins of Sheffield’s First Public Museum in Weston Park which is 150 years old in 2025

This talk covers the formation of the public collections by the Literary & Philosophical Society, and the history of the original Weston Park Museum from its origins as a private house in the late 1700s, through to it being made a public facility in 1875, taking in the addition of the Mappin Art Gallery in 1887, the demolition of the original Weston Park Museum and subsequent opening of the new Weston Park Museum in the 1930s.  We end with the museum bombing in 1940.

The talk touches on Robert Marnock’s design of Weston Park itself, including some of its original features that are now gone, but doesn’t go into too much detail about the architecture of the various buildings that have sat on the site.

Alistair McLean is the Curator of Natural Science for Sheffield Museums and here’s what he says about himself: “I’ve worked for Sheffield Museums for over 20 years.  Although I’m a zoologist by training, this talk is the culmination of years of answering enquiries about the history of the museum.”

Join The Victorian Society to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sheffield’s first public museum.

Doors open at 7.00pm and the start time is 7.30pm prompt.

Entrance is open to members & non-members and costs £5. 

Email victoriansocietysyorks@gmail.com to book a place for the new programme of talks.

Showroom 5 in The Showroom Cinema
Paternoster Row
Sheffield
S1 2BX