Heritage Strategy - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

stockton-on-Tees <strong>Heritage</strong> <strong>Strategy</strong>
Preston Hall Kitchen
Visitor attractions and collections
Preston hall Museum & Park - provides a major
contribution to the enjoyment of <strong>Stockton</strong>’s past. Originally
built in 1825, the Hall became the home of Robert Ropner,
local businessman and ship owner in the 1880s. He added
the impressive ballroom and the fine Winter Garden
conservatory, which houses a typical Victorian plant display.
The estate was purchased by the Council in 1947, and
opened as a public Museum and Park in 1953. The original
trackbed of the <strong>Stockton</strong> and Darlington Railway (1825 -
1852) can still be seen along the frontage of the Park. The
Hall attracted 100,000 visitors in 2010, with the 110-acre
Park being used by an estimated 400,000 residents and
visitors.
This jewel in <strong>Stockton</strong>’s crown is currently being improved,
with support from the Council and the <strong>Heritage</strong> Lottery
Fund: in the Park there are improvements to access, paths
and drainage. New displays in the Museum from 2012 will
let visitors explore their heritage and history and discover
more about the history of the Hall and Park, the Collectors
and collections which are the foundation of the Museum,
the rich river and industrial history of the area, and the
creativity and innovation of local people.
The Museum has fine collections of Art (including the
internationally-famous Georges de la Tour ‘Diceplayers’),
Weapons from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries,
Archaeology (such as the impressive local finds from
Norton and the carved Viking stones from Kirklevington),
Costume, and substantial Local and Social History
collections, including local Documents.
And, at the back of the Museum, visitors are often
surprised to discover the hidden gem of the reconstructed
Victorian street, complete with cobbles, pumps, shops and
Endeavour
working craftspeople – including blacksmiths, violin
makers, a printer, wood carver and costumed interpreters
to help take you back in time!
(Please note that the main Hall will be closed in 2011 for
refurbishment work and installation of new displays),
although the Ballroom exhibition and Victorian Street will
be open February to August).
The replica hM bark endeavour, is a full-size replica of
Captain James Cook ship. It is berthed on the River Tees at
<strong>Stockton</strong>-on-Tees, not far from the birthplace of James
Cook.
A recently opened attraction and success story is saltholme
Wildlife and discovery centre. The site was opened in
2009 after substantial reclamation works to change this
former industrial landscape back into an area of reedbeds,
wet grasslands and lakes. The site covers 380 hectares and
is an important area for birds and other wildlife. The site
includes a visitor centre and a series of trails. It has proved
popular with both local people as well as visitors to the
region. It is managed by the RSPB.
ropner Park was restored in 2006 by <strong>Stockton</strong> Borough
Council with Park for People funding and is a Registered
Park and Garden. The Park was given to the people of
<strong>Stockton</strong> by Sir Robert Ropner, who was a wealthy
Shipbuilder and MP for <strong>Stockton</strong>. It was first opened to the
public in 1893 and still retains the character and features of
a traditional Victorian park. The active Friends Group run
events and the Park café.
Wynyard Woodland Park adjacent to the Wynyard Hall
estate, was originally based on the former Castle Eden
Branch Railway. With the purchase of woodlands alongside
the railway, the park took its present form. A visitor centre
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