Tenby Museum & Art Gallery

Tenby Museum & Art Gallery stands as the oldest independent museum in Wales.  Established in 1878 it continues to develop its collections and displays to preserve and promote the history of the town, giving a sense of place and heritage to both the local person and the visitor.

The building stands on the location of the living quarters of Tenby’s castle. It was once the National School and the trustees acquired it in 1878.  It was adapted by builder Lewis John at a cost of £44.12s.4d.

The gallery features specimens from early geological times (Precambrian) through to the Romano-British period (1st – 5th century AD). Artefacts of particular interest include selections from the Ridsdale geological collection, mammoth teeth found on Caldey Island, Palaeolithic finds from Hoyle’s Mouth (40,000 – 10,000 BC), Bronze Age burial urns and Roman finds from Trelissey.

The museum houses two art galleries, one which features the permanent collection, the second exhibiting changing temporary exhibitions.

The permanent art gallery features work by artists such as Gwen and Augustus John, Kyffin Williams, John Piper, David Jones, Nina Hamnett, Claudia Williams, John Uzzell Edwards and John Knapp Fisher to name but a few.

The sea has played an important role in the history of the town. The gallery Stories from the Sea traces various aspects of maritime history connected with the town. Here visitors can learn about the story of the lifeboat, from the first unnamed boat in 1852 through to the present new lifeboat, the Haydn Miller and its purpose built station. Also featured in the gallery are the story of HMS Tenby and the history of the Tenby Air Sea Rescue Unit.

Within the museum there is also a section on piracy, Beware! Pirates!.