Durham Museum

Durham Museum (previously Durham Museum and Heritage Centre) was a museum in Durham, England. It detailed the history of the City of Durham from medieval times to the present day. The museum was located in the redundant church of St Mary-le-Bow, close to the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, which is bounded on the north and east by Hatfield College; on the south by Bow Lane, and the west by North Bailey. The costs of maintaining the building forced the museum's closure in 2024. The museum was mainly run by volunteers. The museum contained a variety of objects, models, pictures and audio-visual displays. These exhibitions provided the visitor with an overview of life, labour and leisure in this ancient fortified city, centre of pilgrimage and capital of the Prince Bishops of Durham. Many of the museum's displays involved the industry and trade that Durham is known for, including the manufacture of organs, which still continues. As well as these permanent displays, there were also periodic exhibitions and events that highlighted the lesser known aspects of Durham's social history. The museum also featured a centre for making brass rubbings as well as a souvenir shop.