The Brampton Museum dated 1855 is located in Brampton Park and occupies a large property originally known as 'The Firs'.
The Firs was a large house that was home to the Mosley family, who ran a drapery business in Newcastle. The Borough Council acquired the house in 1956 and shortly after opened it as a museum and art gallery.
"The Firs was originally built in 1854-5 by Charles Lynam for Thomas Leech.
1854-5 - built by Charles Lynam for Thomas Leech
1855 - Let to J. W. Dawson Esq.
1861 - by this date occupied by tenant - Stephen Edge
1863- Thomas Leech sold The Firs to Ralph Moseley (who soon moved in)
1914 - Moseley occupied the house until his death and then his executors let the house to William Simmons who brought the house in 1914.
1922 - Simmons sold the house to Harry Scrivener Adams.
The executors of Harry S Adams sold the house to Newcastle Borough Council for £6,325."
Details of census returns for the property can also be seen at the following link.
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The main façade retains various architectural features including a stone balcony under the window on the first floor and chimera above the entrance.
There are six chimera situated above the entrance at the front of the property. The two larger chimera portray a male and female head with four smaller lion heads spaced above. They are all painted in pale blue which show clearly against the cream coloured walls.
"The Museum is lucky to be situated in beautiful Brampton Park, the borough’s flagship park which has Green Flag status. With its beautiful, mature trees and shrubs it is a wonderful place to wander, relax and have fun. The park was originally two gardens divided between the two Victorian villas on the park – the Firs (now the museum) and Pitfield House (now the café and Giggles and Wiggles nursery). Before that, the land was part of the Brampton Field – common land grazed and cultivated by the town burgesses. The name Brampton means ‘place where broom grew’. The Brampton Field was sold by the town burgesses after the 1845 Inclosure Act and was developed as a residential area for the town’s professional classes, such as shopkeepers and business owners. The houses were built in the 1850s. Since the 1950s the land has been used as parkland for the enjoyment of the people of the borough. Amongst its many attractions are...
an aviary and small mammals area. Can you persuade the parrots to talk to you or imitate a telephone?
-a children's play area full of exciting equipment - run around, climb and jump!
-a sandpit with water pump - who needs the seaside? Nip to the museum shop to buy a bucket and spade for a real seaside experience!
-a rose garden and sensory garden for relaxation and to stimulate the senses – sit among the lavender, thyme and in raised beds. Watch the bees going from flower to flower.
-a miniature railway. All aboard on Sundays from May to September. This is run by volunteers of the North Staffordshire Model Engineering Society.
-Open space and amazing trees - enjoy the outdoors! There’s lots of space for ball games, running, rolling and having picnics under the trees. In autumn it is a great place to collect conkers.
There are a growing number of sculptures and memorials in the park. These include 'The Lady in the Park’, seated on a bench under the trees. She is a memorial to all the women in Newcastle-under-Lyme who lost husbands, sons and friends in the First World War and subsequent conflicts. There is also a cafe and soft play area in the park."
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