Early Durham

Georgian Durham

Victorian Durham:-

+ Trade & Industry

+ Social & Domestic Life

+ Changing Times

Modern Durham

Durham's Black History

Art in The Museum

Brass Rubbing

Special Exhibition

 

 

 

Victorian Durham: Changing Times

Our displays show the many changes that took place in the Victorian era in, for example, transport and commercial building.

Durham County Council moved to their purpose-built offices, Shire Hall in Old Elvet, in 1904. The grand new building provided accommodation for all the Council's departments including Weights and Measures.

In 1857, the North Eastern Railway built the viaduct in Durham to carry a branch line from Leamside to Bishop Auckland with a station in the City. It wasn't until 1872 that Durham became a main line station, when there was a change in the route of the line between Newcastle and Darlington.

The Market Place saw many changes in the 19th century with the rebuilding of St Nicholas Church and new commercial buildings.

Our museum display shows the new Town Hall, designed in the popular Victorian gothic style and built in 1850. On the left is a design painted on the panelling of the main hall.