Portsmouth City Museum & Records Offices
Portsmouth City Museum:
The City is the museum of and for the people of Portsmouth. There are temporary exhibition galleries, which have a frequently changing parade of fascinating shows on a wide range of subjects - recent exhibitions have included Space Exploration, Portsmouth at the time Nelson and Eco Fashion. To see what's on at present please click on Events and Exhibitions.
The museum's main displays feature the 'Story of Portsmouth'. Discover how life at home has changed over the centuries in the 'Living in Portsmouth' Gallery which looks at life in the home with the reconstruction of a 17th century bedchamber, an 1871 dockyard worker's kitchen, a Victorian parlour, a 1930s kitchen and a 1950s living room. The story continues with 'Portsmouth at Play' on the beach, in the cinema, on the football field and dance floor.
'A Study in Sherlock: Uncovering The Arthur Conan Doyle Collection'
This new and exciting, interactive and permanent exhibition of Richard Lancelyn Green’s international Collection has been created in its own refurbished gallery.
Fine and Decorative Art
There is also a Fine and Decorative Art Gallery, which features a wide range of material from the 17th century to the present day; the Portsmouth Picture Gallery with its extensive and important collection of local paintings, prints and drawings, and the Temporary Exhibition Gallery where a regularly changing programme ensures that there is always something to see or do.
The Records Office:
The Records Office is housed in the same building as Portsmouth City Museum. It holds the official records of Portsmouth City Council which survive from the 14th century; local Anglican and Non-Conformist church registers and records from 16th century; large collections of material deposited by local businesses, families and other organisations as well as thousands of local maps and plans, photographs and picture postcards, all of which can be consulted in the first-floor public Search Room.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Opening Times
Normal Opening daily Monday - Friday, 10am-5pm (but see below).
Closed public holidays and 24 - 26th December.
New for 2010: Special weekend Search room openings
Are you busy Monday to Friday, but would like to visit the Records Office to consult archive material, to research local or family history for example? The Searchroom will be open for researchers on three Saturdays in 2010: 22 May, 21 August and 27 November).
No booking required.
10.00am - 5.00pm
Parking
Free car parking in the grounds of the museum. Coaches may park in St George's Road (100 yards for the museum).
Catering
Selection of food, hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, snacks and drinks available.
Shop
Specialising in local history and decorative arts including local arts & crafts, gifts, souvenirs, greeting cards, fine art prints, toys, glassware, china and an extensive book section.
Free Admission
Groups please book in advance. If you wish you can book now on-line.
Educational Groups
Schools please book in advance, telephone +44 (0)23 9229 6905 for reservations or book now on-line.
Toilets
Toilets are available on the first floor (including accessible toilet combined with baby changing facilities on the ground floor).
Accessibility:
The museum is totally accessible via a lift to all galleries on three floors. Wheelchairs are available for use by visitors. Induction loops for hearing impaired visitors are installed in reception, animated map of Portsmouth display and the Victorian room setting. Accessible toilet and baby changing facility. Parking spaces for disabled visitors.
· Induction Loops
· Lift to all galleries
· Accessible toilet
· Wheelchairs available
· Parking spaces
· lowered reception counters for wheelchair users
· Induction Loops
· Lift to all galleries
· Accessible toilet
· Wheelchairs available
Address:
City Museum & Records Office
3 Museum Road
Portsmouth,
Hampshire PO1 2LE