North Lincolnshire Museum

About the museum

The museum opened in 1909 as Scunthorpe Museum, in a single room of the town's Carnegie Free Library. Local enthusiasts set it up to save archaeological and geological material threatened by ironstone mining, and it became a council-run museum in 1911. In 1937 it moved to a former maternity home on Cottage Beck Road, and in 1953 it moved to the old Frodingham Vicarage, its present home, which has since been extended with galleries, offices and learning rooms.

An ironstone cottage from Church Street was rebuilt in the museum grounds in 1963. In 1996 the museum was renamed North Lincolnshire Museum and merged with other local collections into one countywide service.

The galleries cover Jurassic Sea fossils from the Frodingham Ironstone, the history of iron and steel making, local history with the Ironstone Cottage and a Victorian parlour from the vicarage, and local archaeology from the Palaeolithic to the early post-medieval period, including the Romanesque Barnetby Font.

Highlights

• Jurassic Sea gallery with ammonite, ichthyosaur and plesiosaur fossils
• Steel Gallery on the area's iron and steel industry
• Ironstone Cottage and Victorian parlour
• Archaeology gallery with the Romanesque Barnetby Font
• Dudley's Den play space for under 5s

Permanent exhibitions

• Jurassic Sea – Fossils from the Frodingham Ironstone, including ammonites and ichthyosaur and plesiosaur specimens.
• Steel Gallery – The history of the iron and steel industry in North Lincolnshire.
• Archaeology Gallery – Local finds from the Palaeolithic to the early post-medieval period, including the Romanesque Barnetby Font.

Founded

1909

Operated by

North Lincolnshire Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; visitors can give a donation online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is level access from the street through an automatic sliding door, and two lifts (a main platform lift and a short platform lift on the first floor) serve almost all display areas. The Post War Gallery has a staircase to the first floor and no lift, and there is a step into the Ironstone Cottage back room, although the front room can be seen from the step. One small accessible toilet with a baby change area is by the entrance; there is no Changing Places toilet on site. Hearing loops are at Reception and in the Community Gallery, gallery videos have subtitles, and large-print object information, magnifying glasses and coloured overlays are available. Free sensory backpacks, a visual story and a sensory map can be used, and the museum holds an Autism Accreditation Award. Folding chairs can be borrowed at Reception. Two parking bays for visitors with disabilities are in the visitor car park. The access guide was last updated in July 2023.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Dudley's Den is a play space for under 5s with a soft play corner, free play every day and led sessions. The museum also runs family exhibitions and events, such as half-term activities. A baby change area is in the accessible toilet by the entrance.

Getting there & parking

Bicycles can be left in the Courtyard Garden; ask at reception.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

There is no café on site; the museum recommends Café at 20-21 and The Pods nearby. The gift shop is on the ground floor, and there is a picnic area in the Courtyard Garden.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit