10am to 3pm Tuesday to Saturday
£5 per person / members free
An artists’ impression of the first seven shiels
‘North Shields, 800 years in the making’ takes visitors on a journey from the town’s humble beginnings with a small settlement of shiels – fishermen’s huts – at the mouth of the Pow Burn where the fish quay is today, through wars and conflict, innovation and prosperity, through to growth and development.
Although its main focus is eight centuries of the town’s history, it starts with an explanation of how archaeological evidence suggests a prehistoric settlement near Northumberland Park dating back almost 6,000 years and how the earliest legends speak of battles between gods and giants.
It then goes on to explore the 1225 founding date and examines how and why the town flourished then floundered in the Middle Ages. It shows the impact of the 16th century Reformation and 17th century civil wars on the town, before looking at how the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries shaped North Shields into the place we know today.
Centre director Guy Moody said: “During this 800th anniversary year, we hope that people will take the time to visit the centre and find out more about the town’s fascinating history, at the heart of which is a cycle of growth, crisis and regression.”
The exhibition, in the centre’s heritage gallery, also includes a ‘community wall’ display telling the story of how the Old Low Light, the oldest surviving building on the fish quay, was developed to become a heritage centre, officially opening in 2015. In the coming months, there will be a changing programme of ‘community wall’ displays covering specific aspects of the history and heritage of North Shields.
In addition, more than 30 local stories are displayed in a Cabinet of Curiosities, about North Shields, its people and some of its visitors.
The exhibition has been made possible through North Shields 800 funding from North Tyneside Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
