National Civil War Centre, on Appletongate, Newark is marking its 10th anniversary

One of the town’s most popular and respected institutions is celebrating a decade of bringing history to life.

This summer, the National Civil War Centre, on Appletongate, is marking its 10th anniversary with a series of engagement workshops and events.

The British Civil Wars were a turning point in our nation’s history, with lasting political effects which shaped society and can still be felt to this day.

As a Royalist stronghold, Newark played a key role in the conflict, having been subject to three separate sieges throughout the 1640s by Parliamentarian forces, and was therefore seen as the perfect location to base a national museum centred around the conflict.

The museum first opened to the public in May 2015 to much fanfare, with the staging of a 1,000-man-strong re-enactment at Sconce and Devon Park by the Sealed Knot.

Then, in September of that year, The Earl of Wessex visited the town to give the Civil War Centre the royal seal of approval and officially cap off a summer of celebration.

Previously unseen relics from the Civil War, and artefacts which tell the stories of ordinary Newark people throughout the centuries, take pride of place in the museum, open for all to view and learn about the town’s collective history.

In the years since, the museum has grown into a major focal point in the town, welcoming visitors from far and wide, and houses Newark’s tourist information centre.

Hundreds of schools from all corners of the country have made the trip to enjoy educational visits.

The Centre has also adapted to become more accessible for local people, with free entry for Newark and Sherwood residents, the introduction of popular sessions for families and young people including Family Saturdays every month and regular Thursday Mini Museum sessions, as well as regular engagement events out in the community.

And last year the Centre was rewarded for its efforts, winning a Family Friendly Museum Award for Best Small Museum.

Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for heritage, culture and the arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Marking 10 years of the National Civil War Centre is not only a celebration of Newark’s rich and remarkable history, but of the incredible achievements we’ve made in sharing it.

“The centre has welcomed thousands of visitors from across the county, hosting powerful exhibitions, and creating unforgettable learning experiences for all ages.

“This success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our passionate staff and volunteers, whose hard work and enthusiasm have brought the history to life.

“I’m immensely proud of everything the Centre has accomplished, and even prouder of how Newark continues to champion its heritage with pride and purpose.”

The centre is housed in the restored Old Magnus Building on Appletongate, and its Tudor Hall dates back to 1529 when it was used as a grammar school. The names of pupils who carved their names into the wooden beams can still be seen to this day.

The Centre was opened following years of development, with £5.4m invested into the project, partially funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Collections and exhibitions manager, Glynn Hughes was one of those who saw the project develop from the seeds of an idea, through to its completion.

He first started volunteering at the old Millgate Museum and was part of the team which oversaw the move into Appletongate and the creation of the National Civil War Centre.

Now, after 35-years of involvement he is responsible for the vast archive of artefacts both on display and in Newark’s Resources Centre, which houses over 60,000 objects.

“We wanted to honour a hugely important part of our town’s history,” he said. “And now, the museum has put Newark on the map with its unique cultural offer.

“This is a friendly, welcoming place, and there is a huge sense of pride and identity in what we have here.

“From my perspective as a curator and as a resident, I am astounded by the generosity of local people who bring in personal objects and trust us with them.

“We have a dual role by showcasing our national history, but also a really incredible local collection too.

“We are helping to preserve memories for future generations to enjoy.”

The museum also features a collection of unique and fascinating artefacts, dating from roman times, through the medieval and Tudor period, all the way up to the modern day.

These items include the strange and mysterious Roman Dodecahedron found at Norton Disney, which is still puzzling experts as to its purpose; military uniforms and weapons which showcase Newark’s connection with conflicts throughout the centuries; and one-of-a-kind objects such as Thomas Fairfax’s wheelchair or an original cast of Oliver Cromwell’s death mask.

There is also the famous Newark Torc — a 2,000-year-old Iron Age gold choker, which was found in a field near Newark by amateur metal detectorist Maurice Richardson, and had been displayed at the British Museum.

New exhibitions and displays are continuing to be developed, telling unique and often unseen stories, such as a planned new exhibition featuring second world war Polish objects on loan from the Sikorski Museum.

Looking ahead to the future, the museum hopes to continue developing its connection with the people of Newark, through a plan to display objects out in the community.

What are your favourite memories of the National Civil War Centre? Let us know…