WHILE it might be small in size, Penrith is mighty in stature when it comes to its historical, cultural and arts scene.
The Penrith and Eden Museum was established in 1883 and is dedicated to preserving, displaying and interpreting material that is of cultural interest to the Penrith and Eden area.
Items found within the collection include an elephant’s tooth, discovered at Penrith Castle, 600 Roman bronze coins and a painting of Druids performing a ritual in the Eden Valley with stone circle Long Meg and her Daughters visible in the background.
Also in the collection are two pewter chargers dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when Penrith was known as a centre for pewter trade.
Alongside the collections, visitors can also read up on the tales of beloved famous locals. There are stories of local artist Jacob Thomson, Crimea war hero William Pearson and champion wrestler William Jameson.
Of course alongside the loved are also tales of treachery and notoriety, most notably Percy Toplis, ‘The Monocled Mutineer’, whose crimes ranged from petty theft to murder.
Less than five minutes’ walk from the museum, located near the Town Hall, is EVAN Gallery (Eden Valley Artistic Network), another Penrith institution.
Unassuming from the exterior, EVAN Gallery is in fact home to a large number of artists and artisans creating works from across the spectrum including painting, photography, jewellery, ceramics, glass, performing arts, textiles, sculpture, mixed media and printmaking.
Step inside their gallery and shop, where it’s possible to browse the collections, purchase favoured items, learn about all the other EVAN member events/galleries and sometimes even watch the resident artists at work.
The gallery is open to the public Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Penrith & Eden Museum and Eden Valley Artistic Network are just two of the attractions being highlighted by the Let’s Go Culture project, which has received £175,908 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is being supported by Westmorland & Furness Council.
For further information visit Home - Eden Valley Artistic Network, eden.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-events/penrith-and-eden-museum or visit www.visitlakedistrict.com/lets-go-culture for more inspiration on arts, culture and heritage in Westmorland and Furness.
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