A MUSEUM which highlights the history of rural Ryedale has reopened for a new season. Beck Isle Museum in Pickering reopened last Saturday for the 2019 season with new exhibitions and displays, alongside the old favourites.

Marking 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria, this year’s costume exhibition is entitled Six Decades of Victorian Fashion.

Liz Whitehouse, a museum trustee, said: “Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and reigned for just over 63 years. During Victoria’s reign, fashion - particularly for women – changed a great deal.

“The dresses on show reflect these changes, from the soft shapes of the 1840s to the highly-sculpted forms created by the crinoline and the bustle.

“The Victorian period also saw the invention of synthetic dyes which produced bright colours in contrast to the soft, plant-based dyes in use in the early 1800s.

“Each dress is accompanied by a range of accessories such as shoes, parasols, shawls and mufflets.”

Pickering Musical Society is celebrating its 100th birthday in this year and visitors to the museum will be able to see programmes and photographs from performances in each decade since 1919 as part of a special display to mark the anniversary.

Liz said: “All the old favourites are still to be seen; the nursery, the Victorian parlour, the shops and the pub, together with the many workshops illustrating traditional trades.”

The museum celebrates its reopening with a traditional craft day today (Wednesday).

Visitors will be able to see crafts ranging from butter-making in the dairy to patchwork in the parlour.

Friday, March 1 is fossil hunters day, with lots of dinosaur and fossil-related activities for young visitors.

All activities are included in the admission price for the museum.

Liz added: “We look forward to welcoming visitors to Beck Isle Museum and to the special activities we will be holding throughout the year.

“Beck Isle is a volunteer-run museum and we would loved to welcome new volunteers.”

For more information, go to

beckislemuseum.org.uk or phone 01751 473653.