Kirkleatham Museum features a selection of permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions.
The Kirkleatham Story: Beyond the Estate
Uncover the rich heritage of Kirkleatham Estate through creative storytelling, collective reflection and interpretation.
Beyond the Estate is a collaborative project designed to explore and uncover the historical narratives and personal identities connected to the history of Kirkleatham Estate. This project aims to uncover the estate’s rich heritage while fostering a deeper connection between communities and the complex history of Kirkleatham, with a particular focus on Sir William Turner's contributions.
Through active community participation, Beyond the Estate invites individuals to engage in creative expression and meaningful dialogue. Kirkleatham Museum seeks to inspire a dynamic and diverse response that resonates with contemporary audiences, facilitating thoughtful conversations that will set the stage for a larger project and exhibition dedicated to the rich history of Kirkleatham and the impactful legacy of Sir William Turner.
Saxon Princess
A royal bed burial with finds unparalleled in the Anglo- Saxon world. The Saxon Princess treasure, found near Loftus, is housed at Kirkleatham, with scenes of everyday life in the 7th Century AD.
Lest We Forget
Footsteps of Courage
This exhibition looks at the dramatic story of the Normandy Landings, and explores the experiences of local men and women who lived in Redcar during the Second World War.
Steel Stories
Steel Stories is a powerful celebration of our region’s steel and industrial heritage.
This interactive exhibition is the culmination of 12 months of community engagement and research, showcasing stories, artefacts and pictures from real people who worked and lived in the steel industry and community.
Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Bell lived at Red Barns in Redcar from the age of 2, this exhibition tells the story of her fascinating life.
The Georgian Dining Room
This Georgian-period dining room display offers us a unique perspective into the exuberant lifestyle of the wealthy upper-classes at this time. The grandeur of this room highlights the formal and intricate nature of dining rituals. The strict social order for seating, the range of tableware and the act of inviting guests each contribute to an elaborate and sophisticated affair.
With thanks to the MA Curator Degree Apprenticeship team for their support in the development of the interpretation and project.
Arctic Expressionswill explore life for Indigenous Peoples in North America’s Arctic regions, Alaska and Canada and will be at Kirkleatham Museum from 7 June to 28 September.
It will show how these resilient communities live with and adapt to socio-political and environmental changes, and how artistic expression is an important part of daily life.
As well as the exhibition, children will be engaged in schools as part of the British Museum in your classroom programme, developed in partnership with Tees Valley Museums. An object featured in the exhibition will visit Green Gates Primary School in Redcar and Errington Primary School in Marske. Children will have the opportunity to go on an educational journey to the Arctic through virtual lessons and hands-on experiences, creating their own artwork in response.
The exhibition will focus on themes such as seasonality, human-animal relationships and migration, showing historic and contemporary works from the British Museum collection, including new artwork from Alaska Native, Koyukon Dené and Iñupiaq artist Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich. Titled Shedding Natchiayaaq from Kigiktaq, the work represents a seal’s transformation from infancy to youth. It will be displayed alongside a seal decoy helmet collected on Yorkshire-born explorer Captain Cook’s last voyage to North America, highlighting the profound spiritual and cultural significance of seals for Inuit.
Whilst we were unable to visit Kirkleatham Museum, the museum along with local artists created their first online exhibition, 'Living Through Lockdown' which captured the stillness of lockdown and the rediscovery of nature. You can view the exhibition here.
The Museum also created a programme of virtual events, craft videos, and activities suitable for all ages inspired by things you would find at the Museum to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
7422