By Press Release
There will be a free admission day at both of IW Council’s Newport museums in September as part of the Island’s participation in England’s Heritage Open Days.
Newport Roman Villa will open free of charge on Friday, September 6 (10.30am-2.30pm) providing an opportunity to discover more about life on the Island over 1700 years ago. Discovered when the owners of a nearby house sank new foundations for a garage in 1926, visitors will be able to explore the well-preserved ruins, bath suite and hypocaust for the third century farmhouse as well as enjoying the Roman-inspired garden.
The Museum of Island History will also open free of charge on Saturday, September 7 (10am-1pm). Situated in Newport’s historic Guildhall, the museum provides an introduction to the history of the Island from fossils to festivals. See newly acquired items including the whistle from a steam engine which helped build the PLUTO pipeline which was later converted to a doorbell by Agricultural Engineer John Palmer, and a ship badge from HMS Shearwater a naval vessel built at J. S. White’s in 1939. There are also displays of images from the museum’s collection of historic landscape art, an exhibition exploring Historic Newport as well as family-friendly activities and trails.
These events are organised by the Isle of Wight Council’s Heritage Service.
To find out more about Heritage Open Days on the Isle of Wight and across England visit iw.observer/heritage-open-days.