The Cowper and Newton Museum (Orchard Side) - geograph

The Cowper and Newton Museum is a museum in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, in the

City of Milton Keynes The City of Milton Keynes is a unitary authority area with both borough and city status, in Buckinghamshire. It is the northernmost district of the South East England Region. The borough abuts Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and the remainder ...

. Celebrating the work and lives of two famous local residents:

William Cowper William Cowper ( ; 26 November 1731 – 25 April 1800) was an English poet and Anglican hymnwriter. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th-century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and sce ...

(1731–1800), a celebrated 18th-century poet; and

John Newton John Newton (; – 21 December 1807) was an English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist. He had previously been a captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. He served as a sailor in the Royal Navy (after forc ...

(1725–1807), a prominent slave trader (and subsequent abolitionist) who was curate in the local church. Together, Cowper and Newton wrote the ''

Olney Hymns The ''Olney Hymns'' were first published in February 1779 and are the combined work of curate John Newton (1725–1807) and his poet friend William Cowper (1731–1800). The hymns were written for use in Newton's rural parish, which was made up ...

'', including one of the world's most popular hymns, "

Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is an immensely popular hymn, particularly in the United States, where it is used for both ...

". The museum is housed in a large red-brick

Georgian Georgian may refer to: Common meanings * Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country) ** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasian ethnic group ** Georgian language, a Kartvelian language spoken by Georgians **Georgian scripts, three scrip ...

house, called Orchard Side, on the corner of Market Place in Olney.

History

The Museum building is original to the Georgian era and is presented as it would have been when

was its resident in 1768 to 1786. Within the Museum's collections are the literary works and personal effects of William Cowper, showing a detailed insight into Georgian life and a fine collection of lace and local history artefacts. The history of Olney is also presented in the Olney Rooms within the museum. It has two unique gardens of outstanding horticultural interest as they are planted only with specimens introduced to England before 1800. The museum first opened in 1900.

The Flower Garden & Summerhouse Garden

Originally the Summerhouse Garden belonged to the apothecary who lived next door to Orchard Side. After Thomas Aspray's death, Cowper was allowed the use of this former medicinal and herbal garden. Selected friends were allowed to visit him in the unique building in the centre of the garden, which he described as his ‘verse manufacturey’. After the poet's death in 1800, admirers of his works visited this small ‘literary shrine’ and many inscribed their names and dates on the walls and ceiling - the earliest found being 1802! - all of which can still be seen today.

Other

The

vicarage A clergy house is the residence, or former residence, of one or more priests or ministers of religion. Residences of this type can have a variety of names, such as manse, parsonage, rectory or vicarage. Function A clergy house is typically ow ...

is close by, where Cowper's friend and clergyman

(1725–1807), wrote the hymn ''

''. Newton and his wife are buried in the local churchyard. The museum is promoted by the

Campaign to Protect Rural England CPRE, The Countryside Charity, formerly known by names such as the ''Council for the Preservation of Rural England'' and the ''Council for the Protection of Rural England'', is a charity in England with over 40,000 members and supporters. Forme ...

. and is a charitable trust run almost entirely by volunteers.

References

External links

Museum website

Visit Olney information

Olney Chamber information
Museums established in 1900 Biographical museums in Buckinghamshire Local museums in Buckinghamshire Buildings and structures in Milton Keynes 1900 establishments in England Olney, Buckinghamshire {{UK-museum-stub

History

The Flower Garden & Summerhouse Garden

Other

See also

References

External links