The Beverley Treasure House

Champney Treasure House is a cultural centre operated by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council in the town of Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The centre acts as the main hub for heritage and information services, and contains the East Riding Archives and Local Studies, the Beverley Library, a Museum and the Beverley Art Gallery. The building also contains a coffee lounge and gift shop. The top floor, known as 'The Tower', serves as an elevated sightseeing platform, showcasing 360 degree views of the Beverley Minster and the town of Beverley.[1]

The Treasure House
The Treasure House, Beverley
LocationBeverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
Coordinates53°50′26″N 0°25′45″W
TypeHistory museum
Websitewww.eastridingculture.co.uk/find-a-place/?entry=treasure_house_main

History

The original library on Champney Road in Beverley had been built and completed in 1906. Initial plans were drawn up in 1997 for an extension to the building, beginning with consultations and preparatory work being carried out by the Beverley Town Council, Beverley Civic Society and national organisations such as English Heritage and the Royal Fine Arts Commission.[2]

Work on The Treasure House started in October 2004, with local construction contractors Houlton engaging with archaeologists and the then Chairman of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Margaret Chapman. A time capsule was buried to mark the start of building work, with its contents reflecting life in the East Riding at that time. It was planned that the capsule would be resurrected in fifty years from its planting, intending to be brought out in 2054. Some of the items entered into it included contributions from local schools such as Longcroft School, with students producing coursework describing how they envisage the world to be in fifty years time.

The initial completion date was stated as being autumn 2006, and it had been hoped that the building would open on the centenary of the opening of the library. Eventually, the building would be completed in 2007. The project had been funded through a grant of £3.9 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.[3]

The facility will undergo a £3.3 million transformation scheme, starting in September 2023 lasting until late 2024, during which it will be closed to the public. This will include a new customer service centre and the relocation of the registration service to the building.[4]

Publicly accessible areas

Archives and Local Studies

At the main entrance of the Treasure House, the research room of the East Riding archives and local studies can be found. Members of the public have access to all of the books, microfiche resources, archive newspapers, documents, pictures and rare books of the East Riding. Experienced archivists are also available to assist with searches. To the left of the research room, there is a conservation workshop where large gallery windows allow viewing of conservators restoring pictures, books and other documents.

Beverley Library

At the end of the main corridor is the Beverley library, allowing access to all of the library resources including the lending and reference libraries, computers, newspapers and children's area.

Museum galleries

On the first floor there is a museum display of 'East Riding Treasures'. In addition to displays on the geology, natural history, landscape and people, there is the South Cave Weapons Cache, a nationally important display of Iron Age swords. In this gallery, there are also interactive activities for children, including puzzles, dressing-up costumes and a drawing table. In a neighbouring corridor, there is a gallery of temporary museum displays, which are frequently-changing and are often prepared by local community groups, or touring exhibitions from national museums or galleries.

Beverley Art Gallery first opened in 1910, and features two main display spaces. The first, often referred to as 'the red gallery', displays collection highlights including pieces from the Champney Collection, the work of prominent artists Fred and Mary Elwell, and 'A Panic' by Henry William Banks Davis, considered to be the world's largest cattle painting. The second display space, referred to as 'the white gallery', shows a diverse programme of exhibitions with work by notable local artists, international artists and national touring exhibitions. The gallery also has a lively programme of events, and an active group of members called the 'Friends of Beverley Art Gallery'. Beverley Art Gallery is located within Champney Treasure House.

Source:[5]

  • David Remfry RA retrospective, 2025[6]
  • Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, a Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition, 27 May – 1 July 2023
  • Remnants, 1 March – 30 June 2023
  • Walk This Way, 21 January – 18 March 2023
  • Reflections of Japan in East Yorkshire, 16 October 2021 – 26 March 2022

References
  1. "The Treasure House". The Treasure House. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  2. "Work starts on Treasure House". Beverley Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  3. "Treasure House – Beverley | Houlton – Quality Construction built on Tradition | Hull". houlton.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  4. "Council issues further update on the Treasure House transformation in Beverley". East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  5. "Past Exhibitions". East Riding Museums. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  6. "David Remfry RA". Royal Academy. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
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