Craven Museum

The museum was founded on 6 October 1928 by members of local groups such as the Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association, Skipton Mechanics' Institute, Friends Adult School, and the Workers' Educational Association to house a number of existing collections, including the finds from the Elbolton Cave excavations, the Craven Herbarium and Richard Tiddeman's reef knoll collection. It was opened by Sir Henry Alexander Miers, president of the museum's association. The museum was located in a room in Skipton library and had its own committee and trustees, with some members being local figureheads such as Mr J. Dufty, a master at the local grammar school. In 1934, to ensure the survival of…

An Iron Age Celtic sword was found on the nearby Flasby moor. By 1880, it was owned by Captain Preston of Flasby Hall. The sword was eventually donated to the museum. The sword is made of iron and the scabbard of copper. It is lined with wood with typical Celtic decorations on it. Because of how well it was preserved, it is believed that the sword was thrown into a pit as a ritual offering.

Craven Museum & Gallery is inside Skipton Town Hall, which is located on Skipton High Street. It is approximately a five-minute walk away from the Skipton bus station and a twenty-minute walk from the Skipton railway station.