Hello and Welcome
Welcome to Otley Museum and Archive Trust. The Museum is managed and run by volunteers. Our aim is to maintain the Museum’s profile in the town and beyond, albeit currently without a permanent home, and to maintain access for the public to the archive collection.
The Museum's Story
Our Documentary and Photographic Archive is well used by both personal and professional researchers. The artefacts and exhibits from our main collections were put into storage in May 2010 when we had to leave Otley Civic Centre which had housed the Museum since 1961. This video was taken just before the collection was packed and put into secure storage. It is a reminder of Otley’s rich heritage – from prehistoric to the 21st century – and, we feel, should be accessible to this and future generations.
The documentary and photographic archive is accessible to the public, by appointment, at our present home in Wellcroft House, Otley. It is run by volunteers and new volunteers are always welcome.
Temporary themed displays using material from the archive and collections are a regular activity. They are often linked to national or local events, or arranged specifically for, or in conjunction with, local groups.
Otley Museum and Archive Trust is managed and run by volunteers.
Otley Market Place
The Museum and Archive Collection
The Museum is centred on providing a service to the public by encouraging access to its collection. In our present situation items from the stored collection can still be viewed by appointment and some of them have featured in displays and exhibitions in the town.
From its establishment, the Museum has worked to gather together a comprehensive collection which reflects the history of this market town from its prehistoric beginnings to the present day.
Important elements of this are the collection of prehistoric stone tools and artefacts from the middle Wharfe valley and archaeological items from the palace of the Archbishop of York at Otley.
The extensive documentary archive is much used and includes building records and photographs invaluable to researchers, and important industrial archives relating to the town’s world-famous printing machine industry.
More details of the collection can be found on the Documentary and Photographic Collection page.
Billams Hill, from The Bridge, Otley
Trustees and Volunteers
Jill Allman
Honorary Secretary
Andrew Howard
Chair
Frank Jordan
Honorary Treasurer
Kathleen Armitage
David Clegg
Margaret Hornby
Stuart Pickersgill
Otley Museum and Archive Trust is managed and run by volunteers.
New volunteers are always welcome. Volunteers’ expertise is sought in, for example, Family History, Local History and the Printers’ Engineering Industry.
British Restaurant, Bondgate, Otley. First meal served 1941.
Our Vision
Our vision is to continue to explore all opportunities to re-establish the Museum in appropriate premises. However, recognising the current economic climate, the focus for the foreseeable future is to publicise and maintain access to the archive. Through face-to-face contact, displays and talks, and other media, we aim to provide an efficient service for personal and professional researchers from the local community and elsewhere, whilst maintaining a high standard of care and conservation.
Download Annual Reports
Moss's Grocery Store, Market Place, Otley
Articles from the Archive
Accreditations
Otley Museum and Archive Trust is a Registered Company: 8021978 and Registered Charity: 1148873.
