Wakefield Museums and Castles

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

The first Wakefield Museum

(Article originally published 5 October 2023)

Wakefield Museum has now existed in some form for 100 years! 

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

It was formally opened on 10 October 1923 by the Mayor, Councillor Harold H. Holdsworth.

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

Holmfield House in the 1940s

In his speech, the Mayor hoped the museum would inspire civic pride at the city’s long history. 

He said it would be a place of both education and recreation. It was somewhere that the people of Wakefield could go to escape the hustle of city life.

Invitation card with the City of Wakefield crest, and message 'The Museum Committee request the pleasure of the company of D.H. Crowther and friend at the formal opening of the Wakefield Museum at Holmfield, on Wednesday, the 10 October 1923, at 3pm, by the Right Worshipful the Mayor (Councillor Harold H Holdsworth, J.P.)'

Formal invitation to the opening of Wakefield Museum on 10 October 1923

Guests at the opening were served tea in the refreshments room. They were treated to performances from an instrumental quartet.

The museum was specially decorated for the occasion with floral displays, including orchids.

Printed programme for the formal opening, with the Mayor opening the Museum at 3pm and tea served at 4pm

Programme for the Formal Opening of Wakefield Museum and Art Gallery on 10 October 1923

The first curator, Harold Parkin, 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.

Visitors enjoyed displays of archaeology, Egyptology, natural history, social history and art. And, of course, the all-important tearooms!

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!

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

The museum was described by the Wakefield Express as “a great step forward in our civic life”. The Holmfield House museum proved very popular. By 1934 it was attracting over 40,000 visitors a year.

By 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!

Amongst many other things, the uniforms worn by our brilliant Visitor Experience Assistants have changed significantly over time! 

This drawing shows the inspiration behind the uniform from the 1930s:

A drawing of a man in fitted almost hotel porter style jacket, trousers and cap that reads 'Empire'.

An illustration of the rather formal front of house uniform inspiration in the 1930s

And here's Visitor Experience Assistant Jade today (also showcasing our What's On guide!):

Our Visitor Experience Assistant Jade holding up one of the What's On guides in the Victorian Kitchen at Wakefield Museum

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