A multi award winning landmark building on the banks of the Tyne is celebrating after reaching a milestone in its visitor figures, just over a year on from its grand opening.
More than 25,000 people have now visited Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s to find out more about the rich history of the town and its people since the doors opened in December 2008.
In that time almost half of all schools in Gateshead have visited the former 12th Century church to learn about life in the North East during Tudor times, at the time of the Great Fire of Gateshead in 1854 and during World War II.
In total over 5,500 school children have taken part in the fun, engaging and highly interactive education programme which the centre has to offer. As well as looking at maps, newspapers, photographs and other paper based artefacts from the period being studied, pupils get the chance to handle real objects from the periods being discussed such as toys from the Victorian period or a World War II gas mask. The programme can also be tailored to areas local to the schools visiting to make the experience as relevant as possible to children and teachers.
The centre has become a showcase of traditional North East crafts such as spinning, corn dolly making and proggy mat making and has hosted hugely popular local and family history fairs bringing in scores of visitors keen to learn more about how their ancestors lived.
Gateshead Council cabinet member for culture Cllr Linda Green said: “I think it’s fair to say that Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s has been a fantastic success. The success can be measure not only in the impressive visitor numbers but also by the growing understanding and sense of pride in the history of Gateshead amongst young and old.
The Grade I listed Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s, sitting above the Tyne next to The Sage Gateshead, was officially opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex in January following a £1.2m restoration of the 12th Century former church.
As well as being a venue for performances, events and exhibitions, Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s contains a series of interactive displays chronicling Gateshead’s - and St Mary’s - history, as well as a family history area for people seeking to trace their ancestors.
Free guided tours of the building take place every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, the 45 minute tours take in much of the history of the outstanding structure.