Ancient House, Clare, Medieval museum in Clare, England
The Ancient House is a museum housed in a 14th-century building with timber-framed walls, decorative plasterwork on its exterior, and carved oriel windows. It holds exhibitions about local history and is staffed by volunteers who share knowledge about Clare's past.
The west wing dates to the 14th century while the east section was added in 1473, with the earliest written record appearing in a will from 1502. These building phases show how the structure grew and changed over several centuries.
The museum displays exhibitions about local heritage through themed collections that show how Clare's shops, festivals, and musical traditions shaped community life over time. These displays reveal how residents have kept their town's character alive through generations.
The museum opens on weekends and bank holidays from Easter through September and is run by volunteers. Entry is free with suggested donations to help with upkeep of the building.
A local farmer bought the building in the 1930s to prevent it from being taken to the United States and later gave it to the public. His actions saved this historic structure for the community to enjoy.
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