The Museum

The Museum in Wisbech is a significant building, one of the first museums designed in the country, created by architect George Buckler between 1846 and 1847. It is constructed from grey gault brick with stone dressings and features slate roofs with two chimneys. The building has two storeys and half-basements, with two rear wings that were added in 1884.

The facade is symmetrical, with a recessed entrance bay, a deep, moulded dentil cornice, and a stone frieze band. A rainwater head from Albion Place, dated 1722 and featuring cross-keys, is also present. The main entrance is accessed by seven stone steps with iron railings and features a quasi-Doric porch with side-lights leading to half-glazed double doors.

The windows include two three-light hung sash windows on the first floor and two larger three-light hung sash windows on the ground floor, all with console brackets at the cills and deep cornices. The building is enclosed by a low garden wall with stone copings and four stone piers, originally topped with iron railings.

Inside, the entrance hall leads to a top-lit central hall at the rear. To the left is a long display hall with a gallery on three sides and two open string staircases featuring patterned cast iron balusters. The library, located to the right, was extended in 1884. All rooms are fitted with original display cases and bookcases.