Yate & District Heritage Centre is a fully accredited museum which, as part of Yate Town Council, serves all our local communities.
The Centre was created in 1995 to provide facilities for displaying aspects of Yate’s past history and for providing archive and research facilities for the storage of artefacts, documents, maps and photographs relevant to Yate.
In 2000, the Centre was relocated to a new venue next to St Mary’s Church; the site of former stables dating from the 1840’s, behind the historic White Lion Pub.
Yate Town Council funded and supported the creation of the purpose-built exhibition galleries and a workroom which houses the archive and also provides storage space.
Local History Collections
At the heart of the work of the Heritage Centre are the local history collections. Currently, the Centre possesses a collection of over 3,000 objects; these include a permanent collection of significant local artefacts as well as photographs, maps and oral history recordings.
The Heritage Centre can also boast important local history collections including the Creda Archive linked to the Parnall industrial site, the Harries collection of Newman photographs and repositories linked to local historians past and present.
Yate Heritage Centre is committed to providing the public with regularly changing exhibitions and events, which prove stimulating and accessible.
Since 2000, the Centre has produces a myriad of local history displays covering and reflecting the industrial, archaeological and community history of the area. The majority of projects have involved local people and school children.
Similarly, local historical and community groups have produced their own local history exhibitions at the Heritage Centre which has provided the change for local people to showcase their find art, craft and photographic work in the galleries.
Located in the Heart of Yate
Yate & District Heritage Centre is blessed with many advantages, not least location. The venue is both situated in the heart of the old parish of Yate amidst a historic church, schools and pubs and is conveniently close to the town centre and thus easily accessible by visitors.
Free Educational Service
Although a majority of work takes place within the Heritage Centre building, a free educational service for local schools is provided and this remains a high priority.
Since opening, the Centre has developed educational and research materials on key National Curriculum topics for local schools and has conducted practical sessions utilising historical artefacts and documents.
More than 20 years into our own history, Yate & District Heritage Centre is creating an exciting new “vision” for our future!
Located in the heart of Yate, Yate & District Heritage Centre is a unique facility that creates history through exciting heritage, arts and culture events. It also houses exhibitions, object collections, hosts lectures, workshops and documents life in Yate, captured in everyday memories, photography, film and everything in-between!
Chair of Yate Heritage Centres Management Committee Alan Monaghan says “The Heritage Centre Vision initiative is a great opportunity for our residents to share any ideas or desires relating to how they feel the Heritage Centre can continue to develop and serve the needs of our town and district.”
You can now check out the results of our “Vision Workshops” by downloading a copy of the document below!
Yate & District Heritage Centre is a dynamic facility devoted to serving the local area. To sustain progress and remain effective, volunteers are always needed to take part in history projects and help staff the building.
For further details and information on becoming a volunteer, please click here to visit our vacancies page.
