Reblogged from Roberta Writes:

During our recent trip to York, we visited York Castle Museum in York, North Yorkshire. The museum is on the site of York Castle which was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068. The museum is housed in the historical prison buildings which were built on the site of the castle in the 18th century, the debtors’ prison which was built in 1701 to 1705 and the female prison which was built in 1780 to 1785.

The museum was founded by John Lamplugh Kirk after he advertised for expressions of interest from sites who wished to house his large collection of items relating to the study of social history. York was the successful applicant and the York Corporation bought the Female Prison in 1934 and modified it to house Kirk’s collection. The York Castle Museum opened on 23 April 1938.

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