Opened as the County Museum in 1982, it has been described as 'one of the most beautiful museum interiors in Britain'. Housed in 3 floors of a magnificently restored Edwardian Theatre built in 1905, in later years it became a Cinema, and is now home of the Ceredigion Museum and Gallery, the headquarters of Ceredigion Museum Services.
The museum's fine collection of historic objects, of all ages, most of which are of the Victorian period and later, which have been collected over many years, showing the furniture, archaeology, agriculture, seafaring and lead mining industries of the people of Ceredigion.
Location
The museum entrance is located between Boot's the Chemists and Peacocks on Terrace Road, 100 metres from the sea front. The deceivingly small entrance leads up the stairs into a stunning auditorium with two gilded balconies and functional stage. You can also access the museum from the Aberystwyth Tourist Information Center, with a staircase and lift to all 3 museum floors.
Visiting the Museum
Schools are welcome to visit the Coliseum at any time during normal opening hours (10 am – 5pm) but an advanced booking prior to visit is advisable to avoid to many schools being in the building at the same time.
Group visits to the gallery and museum can be made in the evening by prior arrangement.
On permanent displays:
Agriculture
Archaeology
Furniture
Lead mining
Reconstruction of a cottage
Seafaring
In addition to the permanent collection there are ever changing art, craft and historical exhibitions.
The collections housed in the museum:
Emphasis has been placed on collecting items that were unique to the county. The majority of artifacts itemised were commonly used in Ceredigion around 1850 to 1950, for domestic and craft use.
There are temporary exhibitions, mainly of high quality art, displayed in the Coliseum Gallery. The gallery is housed on the first floor of the museum, this space with its original parquet flooring and large windows overlooking the sea to the West is one of the most attractive galleries in West Wales. Used mostly for exhibitions by local artists.
The exhibition programme is varied to show the best in contempary Welsh art as well as historic displays using the museum's collections, of which about 8 are held each year.
When I was a boy in the 50's we spent our summer vacations at Aberystwyth. I have very fond memories of the town. I remember going to the Coliseum theatre - which was a movie house in those days - to see great films. I can recall seeing 'Annie get your gun' at the Coliseum. I seem to remember that on the street level there was a branch of Thomas Lipton, a then national grocery store. I am so glad that the colisuem still exists in the form of a museum.
Bryn Jones, Beguildy, Radnor, Sep 25 2006, 04:19 PM
What other Coliseum theatre memories do you have!!!
If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by E-mail and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.
Update your listing! Or add your firms details to these pages for FREE... Submit Site
Can't find it? Try searching the entire web!!!
Download Google Pack: free essential software for your PC
Best buy online web price store, shop purchase & save!, Gift Certificates
Check out what's going on in your local area using my social events listing, also add events to this page. Submit
Any local organisations with forthcoming events can contact us by phone (01974-202038) Skype name: aberystwyth-online or e-mail the webmaster, so that we can add the information to our 'Social Events' page. There is no charge for this service.
Homepage
Where to Stay
Subscribe to Aber RSS News Feed
