The Old Barracks, Lincoln, museum building, formerly barracks, in Lincoln, United Kingdom
The Old Barracks in Lincoln is a brick building from 1857 originally built to house the local militia, featuring a long main section with five bays and corner towers with crenellations. The structure includes a central projecting section with machicolations, a pointed archway, and a courtyard surrounded by single-story outbuildings where soldiers trained and gathered.
Designed by County Surveyor Henry Goddard in 1857 following militia reforms of 1852 that improved army reserves, the building successively housed the North Lincoln Militia until 1880, then the Lincolnshire Yeomanry from 1901 until 1920, and later other units including the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers until 1963. In 1969 it became the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.
The castle-like design with towers and battlements reflects how the building was meant to project military strength and authority in the town. This architectural choice shaped how residents saw their connection to the armed forces and the county's defense over many decades.
The site is located on Burton Road in Lincoln and is easily accessible and locally well-known, making it straightforward to find. The building and its surroundings have been carefully maintained following preservation work in 2012 to ensure good condition for visitors.
Excavations in 2012 revealed layers of old gravel and rubble showing where soldiers once lined up for drills and parades. The findings also confirmed that the parade ground was redesigned in 1913 to accommodate horses and teams used by the Territorial Forces.
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