 The
Beacon
The Beacon is situated on the coast of Cumbria in the
Georgian town of Whitehaven
down at the harbourside.
At The Beacon you will learn about the town's origins
and history, ranging from the town's industrial, social
and maritime heritage in a fun and educational way.
The story is told using characters, sounds, graphics
and video presentations.
The Harbour Gallery is where you will find one of the
finest visual art galleries on the West Coast of Cumbria
with an annual program of exhibitions and events, with
a variety of content reflecting local, national and
international interest. For present and future events
please contact them below.
Also at The Beacon you will discover the background
of the characters past and present of Whitehaven, how
they lived and what the streets of Whitehaven used to
look like. Then a visit to the cinema to see the newsreel
of 'High Days and Holidays', after the cinema read about
the red men mining for iron and see the family at work
in the coal mine, whilst comparing to how the Lowther
family lived in Georgian splendor to the deprivation
of the mining cottages of Mount Pleasant.
At the Weather Gallery you will discover and you can
use the latest technology to forecast and monitor the
weather which are linked to the Met. Office at Bracknell.
Also you can monitor worldwide weather using satellite-linked
touch-screen technology which provides up to date (24
hour) images. Learn about clouds; weather patterns;
water management; global warming; the seasons; and why
weather is so important to our whole environment and
why not broadcast your own weather report!
There is also a cafe for your refreshments and a gift
shop.
THE BEACON MUSEUM COLLECTION
Social History 9701 artifacts relating
to the communal, domestic, personal and working lives
of the people of Copeland; includes industrial and technological
items; costume; maritime history; military history.
Fine Art a collection of over 750
paintings, watercolours and drawings by local artists
or that depict local scenes or people; an important
collection of maritime paintings.
Decorative Art a large collection
of 19th century Whitehaven - made ceramics; collection
of souvenir ware relating to Copeland; enameled glass
goblet by William Beilby.
Archaeology 370 items of local archaeology
including the St. Bees Shroud . 1300AD, the d'Irton
tombstone and a "series" of quernstones.
Natural Sciences comprises a large
geology collection; herbarium; small collection of stuffed
birds and animals. Totals over 2000 specimens.
Numismatics 131 local tokens; some
coins.
Photographs 3550 photographic prints,
postcards, glass plate negatives, magic lantern slides;
over 5000 black and white negatives.
Prints a small collection of 106 engravings,
etchings and lithographs of local places or people
Books a library of 2223 books on a
variety of subjects, includes bound copies of local
newspapers.
It is advisable to
contact The Beacon prior to your visit if there is something
specific you wish to see or any alterations have been
made to the Opening times and the attraction itself.
Disclaimer
Further information and details on opening
times, costs and facilities please contact or
visit their website.
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Location - Whitehaven
[Harbourside]
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+44 [0] 1946 592302 |
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