The Harrogate Story at West Park United Reformed Church, welcomes visitors and locals alike and offers the opportunity to explore what makes our town unique.
Exhibition
The Harrogate Story has been curated by a small team of volunteers and is based largely on books published by the late Malcolm Neesam, widely recognised as one of the town’s leading historians.
A professionally produced series of displays begin by explaining how movement of the earth’s crust, over 60 million years ago, led to the geology that produced 88 unique mineral springs, many of them in the town’s Valley Gardens.
William Slingsby, a local man, discovered the first spring and recognised the curative properties of the spring water and so began the growth of Harrogate as a health resort.
Supplementing the history of the Spa are displays showing the Royal Hall – Harrogate’s “Glittering Palace of Gold” and displays prepared by local historian and author, Dr Paul Jennings, focusing on the social history of the town during the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Video footage from Harrogate’s Spa heyday, narrated by Edward Fox OBE, a descendant of Alderman Sampson Fox, a major benefactor to the town, gives visitors a taste of how the wealthy spent their time.
Opening
Times
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
11.00am to 3.00pm
Refreshments and visitor information are available in the Coffee Shop and Reception area.
Entry is free
This is a volunteer led project – donations towards running costs and development of the exhibition are welcomed.
Accessibility
Limited parking is available for blue badge holders
Ramped access available
Wheel chair accessible WC
Getting
Here
Address:
West Park Centre @ West Park United Reformed Church, Harrogate HG1 1EQ
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Contact
Us
Call:
07460 470003
Email:
enquiries@westparkcentre.org.uk
Address:
The Harrogate Story @ West Park United Reformed Church, Victoria Avenue. HG1 1EQ
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