The Almonry

Sunday, 20 March 2005

All about the Almonry Heritage Centre

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Almonry Museum

The front of The Almonry Heritage Centre in summertime

English Benedictine monasteries recognised a communal obligation to help the poor and from the 11th century onwards this duty was entrusted to a brother known as the “Almoner” who normally carried out his work in a building just outside the sacred precinct, often beside the monastery’s main gate.  The Almonry Heritage Centre is housed in the Almoner’s House of the eighth century Abbey of St. Ecgwin, immediately adjacent to the site of the Great Gatehouse of the Abbey. 

The present building is an attractive and intriguing patchwork quilt of building and rebuilding carried out over a period of at least 700 years.  The earliest parts of the building that can confidently be dated are no later than 1400.  Some parts of the building are believed to be earlier, possibly dating back to Norman times (the undercroft, for example, has tentatively been dated on stylistic grounds to early twelfth century).

The Almonry has had many uses over the centuries and came into the hands of Evesham Corporation in 1929 when it was sold by the Rudge family who wished it to be used as a museum.  The Vale of Evesham Historical Society opened the Almonry Museum in 1957.  The Society has been inseparably associated with the Almonry since it first opened as a museum.  The Almonry, which has for many years incorporated a Tourist Information Centre, was re-designated a Heritage Centre in 1995.

The Almonry has eleven rooms housing a unique collection of artefacts relating to the history of the town and the Vale.  These include items relating to the Abbey, the Battle of Evesham in 1265 (at which Simon de Montfort) was killed, the market gardening industry in the area, local crafts such as thatching and the local blacksmith, archaeology, evidence of prehistoric, Roman and Saxon settlements as well as things Granny used in the kitchen, and Victorian costume.  

It is not possible to display the Heritage Centre’s entire collection at once so the exhibits are rearranged from time to time to show visitors items they may not have had a chance to see. 

The Abbey Room

"Mrs Farmer" at work in the Victorian Kitchen
 

The Almonry Heritage Centre is open during the following hours:
Monday-Saturday     10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Sunday                       2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
The Almonry closes only for two weeks round Christmas and New Year.