Kirkgate by fishers

Kirkgate

York has many interesting old streets and fascinating buildings, so why would anyone want to create an artificial one?

Well, that was the idea of a Doctor Kirk, who wanted to preserve and display the best of Victorian York, and who's inspiration led to the opening of Kirkgate in the Castle Museum in 1938.

It's popularity was immediate, and it has since been copied by many other museums to create a living experience.

It has been extended over the years, with a variety of alleys showing various aspects of York life. Many of York's well known shops are represented here, as are the police cells, a school room and many others.

In other parts of the museum are recreations of the interiors of a variety of period rooms.

A new exhibition recently opened tells the sad and bloody story of the First World War.

The museum is very popular for school parties to visit, and there are excellent resources available to help the children get the most from their visit. There were three school parties there as I was wandering round.

A fascinating way to spend a day!

Ian
Wonderful replica of historical York. It's fascinating to go back in time through this museum's recreations of history. Great narrative. Great pov, light in this shot.
September 24th, 2014  
great shot, it looks real, but of another time
September 24th, 2014  
Wonderful shot, thanks for the explanation
September 24th, 2014  
Sounds an interesting place to visit. Good shot.
September 24th, 2014  
It does sound fascinating. a nice way to go back in time.
September 24th, 2014  
Neat shot and how lovely that it is so well presented.
September 24th, 2014  
Wonderful shot and commentary of a past period of time. How great that it is being preserved in such a way that others can "live" it.
September 24th, 2014  
Great shot and capture. Our national railway museum did the same. a scenery of the time the first trains are made. Now I know the inspiration.
Very beautiful.
September 24th, 2014  
Brilliant shot and thanks for the great commentary.
September 24th, 2014  
Fun shot, Ian! I'd LOVE to see this; know I would enjoy it!
September 24th, 2014  
Oh it is like stepping back in time! Beautiful capture
September 24th, 2014  
Love it - fav!
September 24th, 2014  
Love your pov! A stunning photo
September 24th, 2014  
Just perfect, Ian... I almost felt as if I was there!
September 24th, 2014  
lovely shot and golden light
September 24th, 2014  
Looks like a very interesting place
September 24th, 2014  
Such an interesting shot as is the history behind it!
September 25th, 2014  
Very cool. Thank you for sharing! The girls love these miniature replicas.
September 25th, 2014  
Neat POV - this reminds me so much of a museum in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan that I know well. Love those historic recreations!
September 25th, 2014  
@seattlite

Thank you Gloria - it's nice to be able to walk through this historical recreation!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@lynnz

Thank you Lynn, it's great to step into this historical recreation!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@ceilidh

Thank you Margaret - this is a wonderful museum, with so much to see.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@dolphin

Thank you Molly. This recreation is the most famous part of the museum, but there are all kinds of interesting things to see here (Though I still struggle with the 1960s being history as it is in one of the galleries!!)

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@bruni

Thank you Bruni - it is very popular for school trips!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@dide

Thank you Dianne - it's nice to get this view before you get down into the street itself.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@essiesue

Thank you Sue - it is a very popular place to visit.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@pyrrhula

Thank you Ferry. These historical recreations are great for helping us to visualise the past.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@lhart

Thank you Lynne - I suspect this museum might be the source of more shots sometime!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@cathieg

Thank you Cathie - there is so much to see here, I'm sure you would enjoy it.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@silverhorn

Thank you Rose - it really is walking through history when you get to street level.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@ivan

Thank you Ivan, and thank you for the fav!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@busylady

Thank you Judith - it's great to get an overview here before getting down to street level.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@vignouse

Thank you Richard - it's a great place to be taken back in time!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@ray_milsted

Thank you Raymond - the lighting is a bit of a challenge here.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@bkbinthecity

Thank you Brian - it's a fascinating place to explore.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@hshdebbie

Thank you Debbie - there is so much to see in this museum, I'm sure I will be back to it again.

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@kt8ird

Thank you Kate - although I should say this recreation is full size, and you can wander along the street later in the museum tour!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
@kph129

Thank you Kristin - I love museums that bring things to life like this!

Ian
September 29th, 2014  
Has a Sherlock Holmes feel to this image.
September 29th, 2014  
@fishers Yes I know just what you mean - it makes one feel terribly old!
September 29th, 2014  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.