Abertillery and District Museum

The Abertillery and District Museum is run by the volunteers of Abertillery and District Museum Society. The Abertillery and District Museum originally opened on the 13th of January 1972 on the ground-floor of Abertillery library. 

On the 21st June 2001 a new Museum was opened on the ground floor of the Old Market Hall in the Metropole Building by our President Sir Richard Handbury Tenison and Councillor Nigel Daniels.

A grant was obtained from the Heritage Lottery Fund for new cases, displays, and a children's education area in 2006. A refurbished and a very much improved Museum re-opened in July 2007.

The first exhibits to meet the eye are a Stone Age axe and, a particularly fine example of, a Bronze Age Palstave (axe) which were found at Llanerch Padern Cwmtillery. These are set in murals depicting how they were used.

Next you will see a Roman and Celtlocked in a fight to the death! Roman and Silurian (Celtic) kitchens are also displayed, these were found near Caerleon and Caerwent.

The section on myths and legends has the bloodstone from theCefin Mountain, a dish shaped ironstone which, when filled with rainwater, leaves a reddish stain which gave rise to the myths of human Druids sacrifices in the area.  This is accompanied by murals that depict fairies and hobgoblins of Arael Mountain, as told in the stories of the Old Prophet Edmund Jones in the 1600s.

The Washhouse exhibit contains examples of types of flat irons, washing machines and tools of yesteryear. A widow can be seen taking in washing, cleaning for other people and selling faggots and peas to make ends meet.

A central display shows toys and games from bygone ages with interactive exhibits, used to keep children entertained as they learn about their heritage.

Educational Activities

Abertillery and District Musuem caters for school groups, offering fun educational activities.

The themes and subjects in the museum are geared to school requirements and the National Curriculum. Subjects and displays include:

There are interactive displays where children can dress up in costumes relevant to the period they are studying. These include:

The Bon Marché Shop, which can be adapted for either the Victorian era or that of the II WW rationing and the use of ration books.

World War ll Costumes, uniforms and equipment can be used to illustrate this period in our history following health and safety guidelines.

Victorian Washday has always been popular with schoolchildren visiting the museum, using the dolly pegs, rubbing boards and thewhole process of washday from the tub to the ironing board. The new addition of a replica washhouse gives the children an even better insight of the Welsh Mam and her arduous task on the Monday washing day.