100 years and counting

Two women and two young boys, all very smartly dressed, viewing a photography exhibition. Lots of framed photographs are hung together very closely, completely covering the walls. We do things a bit differently today!

100 years and counting

(Article originally published 7 July 2023)

10 July 2023 marked 100 years since the first ever object was added to our collection. We've now been collecting objects and stories for over 100 years!

We celebrated our centenary throughout 2023 and 2024 with a range of new displays and digital content.

But first, let's go back to the very beginning...

10 July 1923 - Our first official objects

The first ever entry in our accession books was on 10 July 1923. These books are early handwritten records of all objects entering the collection.

It was for 'One Mahogany Cabinet' containing 'Mosses' and 'Lichens'. There were also 'Three Madonna Pictures from Board' 'and 14 cases of Birds'.

An eclectic selection that paved the way for the 100 years of wonderful and weird objects to come!

Handwritten accession book entry for July 1923. In addition to the objects on July 10, a large oil painting of 'The Village Christening' was accessioned on July 12 and 'four etchings and two watercolours' on July 27.

The first ever entry in our accession books on 10 July 1923

A large, tall mahogany cabinet, with double doors and three large drawers below these

The mahogany cabinet in question, our first ever officially accessioned object

Wakefield's first civic museum and art gallery

The doors of Wakefield’s first civic museum and art gallery opened at Holmfield House in Thornes Park in 1923.

The first curator was Harold Parkin. He had gathered a small but impressive collection for display. It included bullets and cannon balls found at Sandal Castle, Ancient Roman coins and a night watchman’s Waits badge.

There were also donations and loans of furniture, paintings and armour.

Holmfield House situated in Thornes Park, a pretty but relatively small building surrounded by plants and shrubs

Holmfield House, circa 1940s

Visitors to a photography exhibition at Holmfield House in the 1930s - we do things a bit differently today!

From then - to now

Since then, our collection has grown and grown! We’ve opened new museums and moved between different sites.

In 1934, Wakefield Corporation opened a dedicated art gallery on Wentworth Terrace. It was open until 2009. Today, the fine art collection is managed and cared for by The Hepworth Wakefield.

In 1956 Wakefield Museum left Holmfield House. It moved into the former Mechanics Institute on Wood Street. The displays included popular recreated room scenes from history.

In 2012, we moved to the city’s newest civic building, Wakefield One, where you can find us today!

Pontefract and Castleford

In 1974 Wakefield Council began caring for and developing the collections from Pontefract Museum and Castleford Library.

Pontefract Museum moved to our current home in the former Carnegie Library in 1978. We’re very proud to continue to care for the beautiful art nouveau building.

In 2013, we opened Castleford Forum Library and Museum. It shares the history of the town’s origins as Roman Lagentium and its proud industrial past and present. We also have changing displays produced with our local communities.

$The exterior of Pontefract Museum, an art nouveau building that used to be a library, built in 1904$

The beautiful art nouveau building housing Pontefract Museum

From 1 to over 100,000 objects

We now look after over 112,000 objects that tell the story of our district from the distant past to the present day. We programme exhibitions and displays at Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield Museums, as well as Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre. We also have Museum Hubs across the district.

Any objects that are not currently on display are cared for at our Museum Store, ready for future exhibitions and research.