Exhibitions

20 July 2024 to Spring 2025

Our beloved taxidermy brown bear is back to explore the past, present and future of Rotherham’s habitats in this family friendly exhibition. Marco the bear searches for evidence of his ancestors and learns about Rotherham’s changing habitats and wildlife. The exhibition also includes 'Naturalia', an immersive experience created by artist duo, Dr Liam Jefferies and Stephanie Jefferies, which explores how Rotherham’s natural spaces, once desecrated by industry, are being reclaimed by nature.

Early Rotherham

The early Rotherham galleries show the development of Rotherham from its geological foundations to the English Civil War. The galleries focus on the Pre-historic, Roman and Medieval periods. Making use of a wide range of collections material, interactives and set dressing.

'Ghost'

‘Ghost’ (2001) is a 3 x 2.5 metre scanachrome print on an aluminium lightbox, by Turner Prize-winning contemporary artist Mark Wallinger. Ghost is directly inspired by the famous painting ‘Whistlejacket’ by George Stubb, which was originally displayed at Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham and is now hanging in the National Gallery, London. The celebrated 18th century painting shows a famous racehorse owned by the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. In ‘Ghost’, Wallinger adds a narwhal tusk to a negative image of ‘Whistlejacket’, transforming the horse into a unicorn.

Ghost is on loan from Museums Sheffield.

The work now takes pride of place in the entrance hall to the museum.

Ceramics Gallery

Come and see our world renowned Rockingham pottery, made locally in Swinton. Marvel at the workmanship that created the enormous ornate Rhino vase, incredibly made in one piece!

The Walker Kitchen

Relax in the Walker Kitchen and enjoy the short films.
This vibrant space will also be used for events and activities, keep an eye out for our up to date activity programme.

The Library Gallery

The library gallery focuses on what the museum has collected since it first opened in 1893. We look back to our roots of showing art and items from local societies and wealthy individuals, to objects collected from around the world, to our current focus of the story of Rotherham Borough and all its people and communities.

The Lion's Den

The Lion’s Den focuses on our most beloved exhibit, Nelson the Lion. He has been given his own gallery, with the focus on families and young children.

Crawl through our baobab tree, or listen to Nelson roar. This is one of our most popular exhibits