HISTORIC BUILDINGS REVEAL THEIR SECRETS AT LEADING MUSEUM

WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEUM,
SINGLETON, CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX

 SPECIAL WINTER TOURS, WEDNESDAYS,
13 NOVEMBER – 19 FEBRUARY 2003

Historic building enthusiasts have a fascinating opportunity this winter to discover more about many of the exhibits at England’s leading Museum of historic buildings and traditional rural life. The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex is offering special interest ‘Under the Surface’ tours every Wednesday throughout the winter, led by Museum Director Richard Harris who is one of the country’s leading authorities on historic timber framed buildings. 

The tour offers an exclusive insight into the construction traditions and techniques of a number of the buildings in the Museum’s collection dating from the late 17th to the late 19th century, giving an explanation of traditional framing systems and the surface marks that give evidence of them. Carpentry traditions were part and parcel of the plan and organisation of buildings and help us to trace the evolution of patterns of living that are still familiar today. 

Finally the tour brings visitors into the 21st century with a visit to the spectacular new Downland Gridshell, home to the Museum’s conservation centre and rural artefacts collection. The first timber gridshell in the UK and runner-up for the Stirling Prize, the building’s innovative design has won national and international acclaim. The Gridshell is designed for low environmental impact and is a celebration of the use of wood for building, complementing the historic timber buildings on the Museum site. The tour examines the completely new design and construction processes that have established the gridshell as a viable method of construction for covering large open spaces, and includes a visit to the Museum’s extensive and fascinating collection of rural artefacts located in the basement level. 

Guests will enjoy a delicious and authentic Tudor lunch prepared by the costumed cook in the working Tudor kitchen. Then making use of the morning’s new-found knowledge, the rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the Museum’s other exhibits, including Bayleaf medieval farmstead, the working 17th century watermill and the Victorian schoolroom. 

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has been designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of all its collections.  It is home to over 45 historic buildings from the south east spanning the past 500 years, all rescued from destruction and restored in a beautiful 50 acre setting in the South Downs. As part of its programme of winter activities, the Museum introduced the ‘Under the Surface’ tours last year and they proved immediately popular both with history enthusiasts and building professionals including architects, surveyors, conservation professionals, planning officers and many more. 

Tours run every Wednesday from 12 November 2003 until 25 February 2004, (excluding 24 & 31 Dec, and 18 Feb) from 10.30am till 4pm. Places cost £20+VAT and should be booked in advance by contacting Christine Standing, Group Bookings Secretary on 01243 811459 or groupbookings@wealddown.co.uk .

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum is England’s leading museum of historic buildings and traditional rural life.  Over 45 historic buildings represent the homes and rural workplaces of the past 500 years in South East England. The Museum, which is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections, runs a lively programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts.  There is also a café using the Museum’s own produce and a shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend an ‘Under the Surface’ tour by prior arrangement which includes an exclusive tour of the Downland Gridshell.  For further information call the Museum information line on 01243 811348 or contact Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer
Tel: 01243 811014
Fax 01243 811475. 
Email marketing@wealddown.co.uk .

Full details about the Museum and its activities can be found at www.wealddown.co.uk . 

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