From childhood, this museum has been my favorite place.
Its interior is filled with lovely oak doorways plus a grand marble stairway. A few hours are needed to fully appreciate all exhibits. There is no admission charge and it is open weekdays 10- 5pm
The basement aquarium opened in 1941 holds a vast amount of different aquatic life, it is said to be the oldest aquarium in Britain and a great place to entertain children on rainy days.
There is an extensive Egyptology collection on the first floor from " The Lady Of Takhennes" mummy case {c700BC} to limestone Stela and other funary objects from the Nile Delta area.
The heart of the collection however is its ancient textiles.
Bolton was once an important cotton-spinning town.
Raw cotton was purchased from the U.S. and India. The civil war blockade and Gandhi’s campaigns in India caused severe hardship to the people of Bolton and so Cotton was obtained from Merchants in Alexandria.
The museums first curator {1883} began the collection. He undertook a scientific study of Egyptian textiles in Great Britain; his son who became curator after his father’s death carried on his work. They examined thousands of textiles, local industrialists contributed funds and the textile collection grew.
The collection includes woven cloth in Linen, silk, and wool. It ranges from elaborate embroidery to scraps of linen dating to 5.000 BC through to the Christian period of the 4th- 13th AD
The local history collection is my favorite, albeit nostalgic. This collection ranges from Postcards, toys old photographs and mock-ups of coal pickers. Weavers clogs, shawls and everyday items are in surprisingly fine shape.
Pride of place is the only surviving example of Samuel Crompton’s spinning mule, which revolutionized the cotton industry and made the mill owners very wealthy.
The museum has a small zoology collection encompassing British birds and mammals. I didn’t visit that area on this visit but I remember it being interesting with good mock ups.
The art gallery, is another wonderful area. Many traveling exhibitions are held here. Its permanent collection showcases mainly British artists.
There is a special collection of the works of the Bolton artist Thomas Moran{1837-1926} he immigrated to America and became known for wonderful landscapes. One of his best {in my opinion} is his " Nearing Camp Evening On The Upper Colorado River" it is breathtaking and rich in color.
Not to boast, but I once had a picture exhibited on these walls! {Along with 300 other schoolchildren} We represented our schools on the occasion of the coronation and my exhibit was oil depicting the Golden Coach and horses.
Alas, you won’t find it there today it is sitting here on my wall.
On the first floor you will also find the library and free Internet access, there is also a small gift shop. Its location in the town center is ideal.