Hospital Street: A Street Through Time’ exhibition at Nantwich Museum

A major exhibition, ‘Hospital Street: A Street Through Time’ has opened at Nantwich Museum telling the story of one of the main streets in the town. Produced by the museum’s Research Group it recounts the development of the street from pre-historic times to the present day encompassing the infrastructure, services, commerce and some of the key people. The exhibition runs until Saturday 12 September.

Once a main throughfare leading from the ford across the river towards the Midlands and London, it pointed the way towards Chester and onward to Wales. Its name stemmed from the Hospital and Chapel of St. Nicholas, thought to have been established in Norman times, which provided hospitality for travellers and care for the poor and sick, eventually giving the street its name. A new painting by the museum’s artist, Les Pickford, depicts the working building. A first for the museum is a large extraordinary 4m long detailed plan of the street prepared by the museum’s designer Paul Topham which maps the changes in buildings through time, whilst consideration is given to the changing layout and architecture.

The street evolved to become an elite residential address with supporting trades, schools and chapels into the bustling commercial and service centre and popular mix of shops, public houses, residential properties and commercial outlets it is today. It can even lay claim during the seventeenth century to being a Parliamentary HQ during the English Civil War.

Commenting on the exhibition, Museum Manager, Kate Dobson “welcomed the reminiscences and contributions from local residents and noted how every effort had been made to integrate it with the permanent museum displays and items from its Collection”.

The exhibition features a number of activities, and is accompanied by a series of workshops and talks.

Entry is free to the museum and exhibition. The museum in Pillory Street is open from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm (Tuesday - Saturday).