Located in the Museum Gardens, and built in 1832, this attractive building houses most of the York Museum Trust astronomical treasures. It is sometimes open to visitors, particularly in the summer months. Recent changes to the gardens have given this new view of it.
One reason for building a small observatory in a city centre was not actually astronomical but for time keeping. Time was often expressed in a vague sense – you would wait for the 'morning stagecoach' rather than one due at a specific time. But with the advent of the industrial age and the railways people wanted greater accuracy. The clock housed in here, which tells the time based on observations of the positions of stars, is still in situ. In its day it was the most accurate timepiece in York and it would cost you sixpence to check your timepiece against it.
Though not primarily built for astronomical purposes, most of the major astronomical events during the 19th and 20th centuries were seen from the observatory, though no major discoveries were made from it.
After the Second World War the building fell into disrepair and the original telescope disappeared in the 1950s. By the 1970s the York Observatory was in danger of demolition. Fortunately for us, a public campaign raised £50,000 to restore it to its original glory in 1981.
It now houses a 4 inch refractor telescope was built by York man Thomas Cooke in 1850. It was installed here in 1981 as part of the restoration.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
We are very fortunate in York to have so many historic buildings of a variety of ages, making it a fascinating place to explore, especially if you explore on a quieter day.
Yes, I have been in the observatory, but not for a few years. It's opening times are rather more restricted than they used to be, due to a lack of staff / volunteers to run it when it is open.
Ian
February 5th, 2024
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
We are very fortunate in York to have so many historic buildings of a variety of ages, making it a fascinating place to explore, especially if you explore on a quieter day.
Ian
You are quite right Jesika, Thomas Cooke did use spider silk as cross hairs in his telescopes.
Ian
Yes, I have been in the observatory, but not for a few years. It's opening times are rather more restricted than they used to be, due to a lack of staff / volunteers to run it when it is open.
Ian