Beck Isle Museum

About

Beck Isle cares for a diverse collection of objects which tell the story of the rural market-town of Pickering.

Story

Beck Isle Museum was brought to life in 1967 by a group of enthusiastic local people interested in preserving the history of Pickering. The wonderful grade II* Regency mansion which the museum occupies has been its home from the very beginning and itself boasts a rich history, having been a doctors surgery, a private residence and almost the first agricultural college in the UK - sadly William Marshall, who was owner of the building died in 1818 before work to complete the transformation to a college could be completed.

Over the last 50 years the museum has grown in popularity and size with the help of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of local volunteers. The collection now numbers some 60 thousand objects and catalogues Pickering’s rich history as a rural market town.

The museum itself is deceptively big! From the outside the building appears rather modest in size, however it hides a surprisingly large interior, with 27 rooms of exhibitions and objects to see, as well as a courtyard, outbuildings, education space and modern museum store.