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Shire Hall Study Centre
Purpose: Inspiration, education and enjoyment for all
Shire Hall Study Centre provides access to the Costume and Textiles collection . We are open by appointment on for students, researchers, groups and members of the public.
We collect, preserve and provide access to our collection of British clothing, accessories, needlecrafts and home furnishings.
The substantial collection of over 20,000 items was previously housed at Strangers' Hall and has been developed over 130 years. It is now one of the finest collections in Britain. It reflects changing fashions, styles and technology in the clothing and textiles of ordinary people over the last five hundred years. All items in the collection can be viewed by members of the public.
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Costume collections include:
· Women’s clothing
· Men’s clothing
· Children’s and Infants’ clothes
· Accessories
· Underwear & sportswear
· Clothes worn for work and special occasions
· Civic costume and religious dress.
· A wonderful collection of over 100 Norwich shawls
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Textile collections include:
· Samplers
· Bed-covers
· Banners
· Linens and textiles used in the home
· Embroideries
· Canvas-work
· Patchwork & quilting
· Beading and lace-making
· Material relating to textiles production in Norwich.
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Services:
We offer services for researchers, specialists, the education sector and the general public:
Visits to view items from the collection. You can choose what sort of things you’d like to see, such as patchwork, shawls, knitting patterns, shoes.
Access to the extensive reference library & resources area
Mini-tours for new visitors or leisure groups
Talks and events programme
Help in identifying your own British costume and textiles
Advice on how to look after your own precious textiles
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The Library holds over 4,000 books on costume and textiles, including many rare and out of print books. It is a reference library only.
The Resources area contains collections of fashion and women’s magazines, craft magazines and journals, trade and exhibition catalogues, and specialist costume and textile society publications.
Also available are collections of fashion plates, photographs dating from the mid 19th century, knitting, crochet and dress-making patterns and pattern books, embroidery patterns, line drawings of dresses and shoes in the collection and the museum’s collection of picture references.
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Access to the catalogue is available on-line on the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service searchable database or by searching the holdings of Norfolk County Council Cultural Services on NOAH (Norfolk On Line Access to Heritage)
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Facilitiies
Lockers are available for researchers to use. We request that researchers use pencil in the library and resources area. Photocopier available at 10p for A4 sheet. Written permission is needed for photography of the collections. Cloakroom facilities are limited.
We have several dedicated study rooms, with comfortable seating, a hot drinks machine and accessible toilet facilities.
NB: food and drink may not be taken into the Study Rooms.
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Access
Access
Norwich Castle Study Centre can provide individual study visits or group talks and handling sessions to meet a wide range of access needs. It is a quiet and comfortable building, and the opportunities to handle objects or have a tailored one-to-one session are popular with disabled groups and individuals.
The Study Centre is wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets, and there is a hearing loop at the reception desk. Accessible parking can be made available too – discuss your requirements with us when you contact us. Go to our Contact Us page for information on how to arrange a visit.
If you would like access information in any other format such as Braille, large print, audio cassette, or CD, please contact us on:
Telephone: 01603 493625
Mobile (for text messages): 07879 432984
Fax: 01603 493623
E-mail: Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service
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Getting Here
How to find us
The Study Centre is situated next to the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum and opposite the Anglia TV studios. From the City Centre, head towards Norwich Castle and follow the signs to the Study Centre on Market Avenue.
From Norwich Railway Station, proceed towards the City Centre along the Prince of Wales Road. 15 mins walk.
Car Parking
Short stay parking at nearby Castle Mall. Disabled Parking available on request. For a map of car parks in the city, visit the Tourist Information or Norwich City Council websites.
Bus and rail travel
For public transport timetable information, around Norfolk, go to the Traveline website or tel: 0871 200 22 33.
For information on accessible buses, visit the Norfolk County Council website and follow the links to information about public transport.
Taxis
There are a number of taxis in Norwich that are wheelchair friendly:
Companies with Class 2 or 3 Metro Cabs include -
• A Six Taxis 01603 880666
• Daltons Taxis 07850 483705
• Dolphin Autos 01603 661407
• Phoenix 01603 611222
• Tolvers Taxis 01603 712574
• Taxicall 01603 858858
Companies with rear loading Vans -
• Canary Taxis 0800 163013
• Dolphin Autos 01603 661407
Read more
Norwich Castle Study Centre
Norwich Castle Study Centre Leaflet (pdf - 6831kB)
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