{{Short description|Museum in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} thumb|Pontefract Museum '''Pontefract Museum''' is a local museum in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. The collections cover archaeology, archives, decorative and applied art, fine art, photographs and social history.<ref>[http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/Museums/Pontefract/default.htm Information from Wakefield.gov.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528092910/http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/Museums/Pontefract/default.htm|date=28 May 2009}} Retrieved 16 December 2009.</ref> The museum opened in 1975.
== History == The museum is located in an Art Nouveau building in the middle of the town which was originally a Carnegie library.<ref name=":0">{{Historic England|num=1313268|desc=Pontefract Museum|accessdate= 13 July 2025}}</ref> The library was opened in 1904 and designed by George Pennington.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pontefract library |url=https://carnegielegacyinengland.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/pontefract-library/ |website=The Carnegie legacy in England and Wales |access-date=5 January 2024 |language=en |date=4 September 2016}}</ref> In 1975, a new library was built and the Carnegie building was converted into a museum. It retains a tiled entrance hall and original 1904 furnishings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Access at Pontefract Museum - Wakefield Council |url=https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/museums-and-castles/pontefract-museum/access-at-pontefract-museum#content-32978 |website=www.wakefield.gov.uk |access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> The building was registered as Grade II Listed when it was opened as a museum in March 1975.<ref name=":0" />
thumb|Art Nouveau tiling in the entrance hall
== Collections == Exhibits include information on Pontefract Castle and the liquorice industry (Pontefract Cakes) on the town. There are archaeological finds from Pontefract Castle and St. John's Priory, Pontefract, including the Ackworth Hoard, made up of almost 600 coins dating from the English Civil War. In addition, there are displays of packaging from the Pontefract liquorice factories, coloured glass and locally printed materials.<ref>[http://www.culture24.org.uk/yh000123 Pontefract Museum entry on Culture24] Retrieved 16 December 2009.</ref> Pontefract was also the location of the country's first secret ballot, which took place in 1872, and the ballot box (which was sealed with Pontefract liquorice) is held in the museum.<ref>{{cite web |title=The First Secret Ballot – a milestone for British democracy |url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/2015-parliament-in-the-making/get-involved1/2015-parliament-in-the-making-events/pontefracts-secret-ballot--a-milestone-for-british-democracy/ |website=www.parliament.uk |access-date=13 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Most of the collection has Pontefract connections, including the mining history of the town.<ref>{{cite web |title=Things to see and do at Pontefract Museum - Wakefield Council |url=https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/museums-and-castles/pontefract-museum/things-to-see-and-do-at-pontefract-museum |website=www.wakefield.gov.uk |access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Pontefract Museum |url=https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/venue/pontefract-museum/ |website=Experience Wakefield |access-date=13 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The museum has three exhibition spaces and, as well as the permanent collections, the museum has a space for temporary exhibitions, and a reference room holding archives relating to the town's history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pontefract Museum Map |url=https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/media/pa5gwxlo/pontefract-museum-map.jpg |website=Wakefield |access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref>
==See also== *Listed buildings in Pontefract
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{officialwebsite|https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/museums-and-castles/pontefract-museum/}}
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{{West Yorkshire museums}}
Category:Library buildings completed in 1904 Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Wakefield Category:Tourist attractions in the City of Wakefield Category:Art Nouveau architecture in England Category:Museums with year of establishment missing Category:Carnegie libraries in England Category:Former library buildings in England Category:Local museums in West Yorkshire Category:Listed buildings in Pontefract