Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
The Central museum of the city of Sunderland, the Sunderland & Museum and Winter Gardens is a historical facility connected to Mowbray Park, boasting an incredible display of historical and scientific material in reference to the area.
The institution was created in 1846, moving into its present building in 1879, of which the foundation was attended by President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant. The facility, along with a recreated Winter Gardens, was revamped in 2002 in celebration of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
The Museum itself focuses on many aspects of local history, including covering the history of coal mining, archaeological finds, glass making, and the prized ceramics of Sunderland Lusterware. It has many interactive and engaging displays for children. The Museum also temporarily houses Sunderland City Library, which will soon be moved onto a new location in Keel Square. It also hosts numerous events, classes. activities and small courses.
The adjoined Winter Gardens is a gigantic greenhouse dome facility which is home to over 2000 varieties of plants from all over the world, making it unique to the North East of England and modelled on London’s Crystal Palace. It is a re-establishment of the same facility which was built in the Victorian era, but destroyed during World War II.
Above all, the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is a very convenient place to spend an afternoon in Sunderland City Centre if you having nothing else to do.
