The Rusking Museum
There has been a Ruskin Museum in Coniston since 1901, when W.G. Collingwood, a local artist and antiquarian who had been Ruskin's secretary, set it up both as a memorial to Ruskin and a celebration of the area's heritage. Therefore, although the museum has a Ruskin collection, there are also exhibits relating to the coppermines, slate, geology, lace, farming and Donald Campbell.
The museum was extended in 1999 with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant; additional building with modern design-work, computer displays, and hands-on exhibits have transformed the look of the two galleries.
The Rusking Gallery:
The EARLY YEARS case, the gallery contains memorabilia including Ruskin's first bible and a brilliantly-written letter to his father when the boy was just nine years old. Check out that handwriting !
GEOLOGY and TURNER.
Ruskin was said to draw with the eye of a geologist, and his love of minerals is reflected in the collection on display here. Cases showing impressively-lit samples surround a series of prints by Turner; there are also one or two by Ruskin in imitation of the 'master.' The theme is the interpretation of mountains.
Among the striking individual pieces here are Ilaria's tomb in Lucca, Alpine valley, Standing Cloud over the Old Man, Sunset at Herne Hill, the Ducal Palace and an unfinished landscape in the gardens of Brantwood.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
| Admission |
| Adults |
£5.25 |
| Child |
£2.50 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 or 3 children) |
£14.00 |
(no charge for children under 5 years)
Group rates available
Discount vouchers available for Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston Launch, and Brantwood,
Guided Walks from the Ruskin Museum:
Guided Walks from Ruskin Museum 2010
Donald Campbell and the Bluebird Story
1, 8 April 3 June 15, 22, 29 July 12, 19, 26, August 2 September 28 October
Ruskin Walks
Circular low-level walks around Coniston looking at the life and work of John Ruskin
27 May 5 August
All walks low-level; 2miles = 2 hours
PRICE INCLUDES MUSEUM ENTRY
Adults £7.00
Child £3.50 Pay on the day
Ruskin Walks
Circular low-level walks around Coniston looking at the life and work of John Ruskin
27 May 5 August
Party rates available please phone museum for details.
Address:
Ruskin Museum
Coniston, Cumbria,
England,
LA21 8DU