The Museum
Located in the centre of Pontefract, Pontefract Museum offers a warm and friendly welcome.
Discover the history of Pontefract told with fascinating objects housed in a beautiful art nouveau building.
Ackworth Hoard
A small selection of the treasures of the Ackworth Hoard can now be seen at Pontefract Museum until the end of February.
The display includes some of the most important pieces such as the gold ring and the exotic foreign ducatons from the Spanish Netherlands.
In all 43 gold and silver coins and the gold ring are on display along with the pot in which they were buried. The whole hoard has 592 gold and silver coins.
Wakefield Council is trying to save the hoard by raising £54,492 to acquire it for Pontefract Museum.
So far the campaign has gone very well and we are getting pretty close having raised just under £40,000.
An application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for another £12,000 towards the acquisition is still to be decided but we need another £3,000 in local funds.
You can help by sending a donation to:
The Ackworth Hoard
Pontefract Museum
Salter Row
Pontefract WF8 1BA
Please make cheques payable to ‘Wakefield Council – Ackworth Hoard’
Take a look…
The Pontefract Gallery
Charting the history of Pontefract and the people that have lived, worked and played here this exhibition boasts the world’s first secret ballot box, a golden lion and a pair of liquorice roller boots!
The Glass Room
The new glass display is now open. It tells the remarkable story of the area’s rich and important glass industry.
Reference room
Want to know more? Discover fascinating facts about the district in our reference room.
Art Nouveau
Built in 1904 in the art nouveau style, this building still has many of the original fittings. Beautiful tiles decorate the entrance and staircase, with intricate door handles and matching chairs, if you like the art nouveau style then this building is unmissable.
Museum shop
Browse through the books, cards and gifts for a reminder of your visit or an unusual present.
Temporary exhibition space
Now on…
Pontefract Camera Club - 4 May 2013 to 29 June 2013
Find out more about our current exhibitions.
Did you know?
For many years people came to Pontefract Museum to borrow books. The museum was opened in 1904 as a Carnegie public library.
Planning a visit
Pontefract Museum is located in the centre of Pontefract and is free to visit.
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