Museum

1. WHARF STREET 5127 (south side)

Museum (formerly listed as Cloth Hall) SU 4767 SW 6/230 29.9.50

I GV

1. 1626-27 by Richard Emmes of Speenhamland (Master Carpenter) for the Newbury Corporation for use as a cloth factory. The original building was of courtyard plan of which the former south "rowe" or range survives as the museum. By 1659 the building was used as a workhouse (Kendrick's Hospital). From 1706-22 part of the building was adapted for use as a Blue Coat School. With the formation of the River Kennet Waterway Trade in 1714 the old Cloth Hall became a grain store. The north and east ranges were probably demolished circa 1829 when the south range was renovated. Restored in 1897 and converted for use as a museum in 1902-4. In 1934 the Walter Money Memorial gallery was built as the east end in similar style to link the museum with the Old Granary (qv). Two-and-a-half storeys. Six bay north front with 1st floor jetty and 3 large.gables. Tile roof with a brick chimney (circa 1897?) with 2 diagonal shafts on a square stack. Timber-framed with plaster panels. Ground floor bays with semi-circular wood pilasters carrying semi-elliptical blind arcade. Jetty with carved (mostly restored) brackets and moulded bressumer. Mullioned windows with leaded lights and cornices; 3 light attic windows; 4 light 1st floor windows with transoms; 4 light ground floor windows. Openings and doorway formed in west gable wall (former party wall) before 1759 in similar style to remainder. Doorway (remodelled 1902-4) with pilasters and coved, bracketted hood carried round from bressumer. Panelled door. Former doorway in west bay of north front. Modern interior. (Trans Newbury Field Club X (1955-6) 21-41).

Listing NGR: SU4724367135