July 25, 2017 8.08 am This story is over 91 months old

First look: Take a tour of the new Gainsborough Crime and Punishment museum

A new Lincolnshire museum requires both children and adults to be on their best behaviour as they explore the history of crime and punishment over the last 150 years. Based at the Old Nick in Gainsborough which was first built in 1860, the museum will take visitors on a tour of the history of crime and punishments.…
The Crime and Punishment museum in Gainsborough. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

A new Lincolnshire museum requires both children and adults to be on their best behaviour as they explore the history of crime and punishment over the last 150 years.

Based at the Old Nick in Gainsborough which was first built in 1860, the museum will take visitors on a tour of the history of crime and punishments.

Gainsborough Theatre Company and the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield have teamed up to create the attraction which officially opened on Friday, July 21.

The former police station and magistrates court will showcase 100 years of women in the police force, a crime scene room and a number of other exhibitions.

A 1940s living room has also been recreated as during that period, the local superintendent lived in a house at the police station.

People will be able to visit the museum on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm and during the summer holidays admission is currently half price.

Eleanor Bowker, local manager at the Gainsborough Theatre Company, told Lincolnshire Reporter: “We aim to show how much crime and punishment has changed over the last 150 years.

“We want to create a theatre of law and the partnership with the Emergency Services Museum has allowed this.

“Visitors should find the museum fascinating and find the building interesting and will offer a lot of educational purposes.”

The amateur theatre company has pumped £10,000 into the attraction and Eleanor admits that it is a lot of money and so are hoping the museum is a success.

Former Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes has donated his police uniform and the company are optimistic that they will be able to get their hands on the police collection from the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

Full price admission is £6 for adults and £4 for children.