Overview
The York Castle Museum is a social history museum in York, England, located on the site of York Castle. Founded by physician and amateur archaeologist John Lamplugh Kirk, the museum opened on April 23, 1938 and features Kirk’s extensive collection of everyday historical objects.
The museum occupies former prison buildings constructed on the castle site, including the Debtors’ Prison, built between 1701 and 1705, and the Female Prison, built between 1780 and 1785. The City of York Corporation acquired the Female Prison in 1934 and adapted it to house Kirk’s collection.
One of the museum’s best-known early exhibits was Kirkgate, a reconstructed late Victorian street. Created as part of the original museum, it was Britain’s first recreated historic street.
Quick Facts
- Status
- Existing
- Locality or neighborhood
- York
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Postal code
- YO1 9RY
Visitor Information
- Website
- Official website
