Museum of Ryde
Volunteer-run local history museum in the basement of Ryde’s Royal Victoria Arcade, with a museum of Donald McGill postcards on the same site.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum of Ryde is run by the Historic Ryde Society, which was formed in October 2009 and became a registered charity in 2013. The society grew out of interest in the town’s past and the 175th anniversary of the Royal Victoria Arcade in 2011, and its aim was to create a museum in the arcade’s historic basement. The museum opened on 15 August 2011 during the Royal Victorian Ryde weekend. The arcade’s foundation stone was laid in May 1835, and the refurbishment of the building was supported by the Ryde Townscape Heritage Initiative.
The displays tell the story of Ryde and its people through artefacts, pictures and local objects, including a section on household and emergency services. A rare internal ice well was found in the building in October 2012, and the society is restoring it with the aim of recreating a Georgian confectionery shop; it is not yet open to visitors. The museum also shows twelve paintings by local artists, one for each month of the year, and seaside humour boards in the style of Donald McGill postcards.
The Donald McGill Saucy Seaside Postcard Museum is housed in the same premises. It presents the work of the postcard artist, who produced over 12,000 designs between 1904 and 1962, and the story of the 1953 police raid on Ryde shops that seized thousands of his cards. The museum is run by volunteers and welcomes new helpers.
Highlights
- Local history collection about Ryde and its people in the basement of the Royal Victoria Arcade
- Donald McGill Saucy Seaside Postcard Museum on the same site
- Rare internal ice well under restoration (not yet open to visitors)
- Twelve paintings by local artists showing the months of the year in Ryde
Permanent exhibitions
- Ryde local history collection – Artefacts, pictures and displays on the history of Ryde and its people, including a household and emergency services area.
- Donald McGill Saucy Seaside Postcard Museum – Postcards by the seaside humour artist Donald McGill and the story of the 1953 police raid on Ryde shops.
- Founded
- 2011
- Operated by
- Historic Ryde Society
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –Tailored visits can be arranged for schools, youth groups and local societies. Organisers may visit free of charge beforehand to plan the visit. |
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Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the basement of the Royal Victoria Arcade, which is entered from Union Street in Ryde.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
A museum shop sells cards and notelets showing the museum’s artworks.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
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| Good to know | Risk assessment forms and activity worksheets are available on request for school and youth groups. Community groups can also book presentations or coffee mornings at a venue of their choice. |
