The local history museum of Chipping Norton gives a detailed and comprehensive summary of this small, but historic market town. Situated on the first floor of the Co-Operative Society Hall, you can find exhibitions focused on the important developments of Chipping Norton, or “Chippy” – from Saxon times to the wool trade to World War I.
Chipping Norton was established as a market town around the 12th or 13th century. The name itself actually refers to its location and function – “chipping” meaning market and “norton” meaning it’s a town in the north. Farming tools and archaeological finds from that time and even further back can be viewed on display in the museum.
Grand Exhibitions
Other exhibitions show what makes Chipping Norton its own unique town. For example, the town has had a lot of success with their baseball team, from around the start of the century up to the 70s. Where most local museums would have displays of cricket paraphernalia, Chipping Norton Museum has their teams’ baseball equipment in its own exhibition.
A full kitchen from the 1930s is one of the most popular exhibitions. Instead of having to read small plaques under closed displays, this whole kitchen is touch friendly. Visitors can feel the weight of the equipment their great grandparents had to use daily.
The museum takes great care in showing what life was like during World War I in the “Chipping Norton At War” exhibition. It may be a small town, but the RAF station nearby still made it a target for a few bombing raids by the Luftwaffe.
Several exhibitions celebrate the success of the significant employers that has made the town prosper. From the important wool trade at the beginning, the exhibitions show tanneries and factories for processing wool up until modern times. Following on that tradition, the Bliss Tweed Mill is also featured.
Other industries that has been important for the town are on exhibition, with local stories and pictures. Hitchmans Brewery and Hub Iron Foundry were large employers of their time, though visitors without much connection with these can still see more general displays of the farming industries throughout the ages.
Over 2000 donated and collected historic photos from as far back as the 1870s until more recent times gives a visual reference to the different displays and hands-on exhibitions.
For a more in depth look, particularly for researchers and genealogists, the museum also has facilities for viewing microfiches of town history records.
New casino games inspired by museums
Some of the games available at new online UK casino sites have been inspired by historical museums and stories. So far the Chipping Norton Museum has had to wait for its turn to be a part of the online gaming scene, but we are certain that at some point it too will leave its mark to the new online casino games. Nowadays the trendiest slots available at latest casinos seem to be having themes and features that are based on historical events and characters. We believe that the Chipping Norton Museum could offer a variety of topics for an excellent casino slot.
To the Chipping Norton Museum team it is only a matter of time before new casino slot enthusiasts come and visit the museum. If you happen to be one, we welcome you with open arms. We are more than ready to take the museum to the next level by entering it to the new online casino scene as well!
How to get to Chipping Norton Museum
The Co-Operative Society Hall lies on High Street, opposite Town Hall. A large car park is available at the nearby co-op, which is also a convenient bus stop.
Address:
Westgate, 4 High Street,
Chipping Norton Museum, Oxfordshire
OX7 5AD
There is a flight of stairs to get into the museum and unfortunately there are currently no facilities for disabled access.
Opening times and admission
The Chipping Norton Local Museum is open from Easter to October. As it’s an independent museum run by volunteers, there may be intermittent shortage of staff.
For large groups or school trips it’s recommended to call in advance to make sure there’s a guide available.
Opening times:
14:00 to 16:00
Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday)
Admission fee for adults (over 16) is £1.50. Children are admitted for free, but must be accompanied by an adult.