Blake Museum
Shown within Somerset
Location	Bridgwater, Somerset

Coordinates: 51°07′43″N 2°59′38″W / 51.1285°N 2.9938°W / 51.1285; -2.9938

The Blake Museum is in Bridgwater, Somerset and since April 2009 has been run by Bridgwater Town Council with help from The Friends of Blake Museum.

The Museum was founded in 1926 by Bridgwater Borough Council, and its collecting area covered from East and West Huntspill in the North to Thurloxton in the South and from Ashcott and Burrowbridge in the East to beyond Nether Stowey in the West. In 1974 the assets of the Borough Council were absorbed by Sedgemoor District Council, which ran the Museum until 2009, when it could no longer afford to do so.It does make a financial contribution towards the present running costs.

The building is believed to be the birthplace of Robert Blake, General at Sea (1599–1657). It was built in the late 15th or early 16th century, and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.^[1]

Although it is commonly used, Robert Blake's name was never prefixed by "Admiral", although his rank of General at Sea held similar status.

Particular features of the museum are artifacts from Blake's life including his sea chest.^[2]

This museum illustrates Bridgwater mercantile and marine past and includes important local historical events such as the Battle of Sedgmoor. There is also a small collection of agricultural machinery and tools, and dairy equipment, a group of coins found in the bank of King's Sedgemoor Drain. The collection also includes items of women's garments dating from the 19th century and Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, The Squibbs photographic collection, maritime heritage items, brick, tile and textile items, and a Monmouth rebellion archive.^[3]

The museum also has an association with Channel 4's Time Team.^[4]

[edit] References