Origins.
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming was established by the Yorkshire Farm Machinery Preservation Society. The society began negotiations to build a museum on the Murton Park site in the late 1970s, and the museum opened to the public in 1982. The Yorkshire Farm Machinery Preservation Society became the Yorkshire Museum of Farming Ltd. which operates as a registered charity and it is the continued mission of the museum to collect, document, display, research and preserve material relating to farming in the historic boundaries of Yorkshire from the earliest development of agriculture up to the mid-twentieth century.

We are the only museum in the district specifically dedicated to the agricultural history of the Ridings of Yorkshire which encompass diverse terrain from the Wolds and the coastal North York Moors to the Pennine Dales, and are noted for both livestock and arable farming.

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming provides a home for societies and organisations whose work relates to farming in the region. The Yorkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers are based here and the Yorkshire and District Beekeepers Association have their pavilion and apiary on site.

Why is the history of farming important?
For thousands of years, agriculture has been the backbone of civilisation, providing us with materials for clothes, warmth and shelter, and of course food to survive. The museum charts the story of the farm and rural life over the centuries in a number of ways. Explore how different crops and breeds of livestock were introduced, learn about how our Victorian ancestors cooked and cleaned on the farm, and see for yourself how technology changed farming by comparing exhibits such as the medieval ‘Caschrom’ or hand plough with an early 1960s tractor and multi-furrow plough able to cover 5 acres per day.

Farming has not only provided people with the necessary staples to live but has generated a wealth of social customs, traditions, and folklore which have enriched rural communities. Examples of these include making corn dollies to celebrate the harvest, ploughing matches, and agricultural shows with displays, demonstrations, contests and above a chance for a rural community to gather and celebrate their work. Many of our seasonal events demonstrate and celebrate these customs.

The Future
The museum continues to be dedicated to preserving this heritage and is always looking to expand key areas of its collection to fully represent the diverse topic of farming and rural culture.