Website Collection Pages

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming opened in 1982 to house a range of exhibits originally collected by the Yorkshire Farm Machinery Preservation Society. The museum has been acquiring items ever since and now boasts a large and diverse regional collection:

Farming and Agricultural Collection

The historic machines and implements in our care are a testament to the continual development of farming practices through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From historic vehicles, carts and wagons to the hand tools and implements used on farms throughout the county, the collection tells the story of Yorkshire’s farming past. Much of this collection is on permanent display in two gallery buildings; the Four Seasons Gallery and the Livestock Gallery. Some of the larger objects are displayed in the open spaces around Murton Park.

The Four Seasons Gallery takes the visitor through the farming year and considers the changing work of the farmer through the seasons. There is also a granary display, a reconstructed Harvest Chapel and ironmonger’s shop. There are audio points around the Gallery and a dedicated audio-visual room where visitors can watch and listen to local farmers talking about their work.

The Livestock Gallery looks at the tools and equipment associated with farm livestock including sheep, pigs, cows and horses. There is also a reconstructed dairy, blacksmiths forge, and a small room displaying the equipment and personal effects of James Herriot, the famous veterinary surgeon from Thirsk. Interactive displays have recently been installed.

Library

The museum has its own library with thousands of books, magazines, journals and manuals. Texts range from nineteenth century volumes to more recent publications. The library is open to the public on request and the collection covers a broad variety of topics on agricultural practice, animal husbandry, herd books, mechanisation of farming, crop varieties, and the rural locality.

Archive

Our substantial archive consists of material relating to farming and agriculture in the region. The archive includes a substantial Women’s Land Army collection, plans relating to the Derwent Valley Light Railway, administrative documents, rural estate records, legal and probate documents manufacturer’s accounts, advertising and promotional material, and manorial documents as well as personal collection. The material in the collection presently encompasses the early eighteenth century through to the late twentieth century. Anyone wishing to use the archive for research purposes should contact the museum in advance to arrange a visit.

Photographs/Slides

The image collection here at the museum boasts over five thousand photographs and slides relating to farming, agriculture and the rural vicinity. These can be viewed on request. Please note that copyright restrictions apply. 

Livestock

There are a variety of animals kept on site, many of which are rare or period breeds. There are Tamworth pigs, pygmy goats, Shetland ponies, and a variety of sheep, poultry and ducks. 

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming welcomes enquiries about any aspect of its collection.