Keynsham medieval artefacts on show for first time in 20 years

Stone artefacts recovered from Keynsham’s medieval abbey will be on display to the public for the first time in two decades as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days.

Keynsham Through Time is a pop-up exhibition displaying three iconic ceiling bosses alongside 1000-year-old stonework, decorative floor tiles and a new scale model of the abbey, throughout September and October at Keynsham MakeSpace

Alongside the medieval artefacts, there will be a display sharing important stories from Keynsham’s industrial brass mills. Objects on loan from Saltford Brass Mill, including cookware and brass bracelets, will give an insight into Keynsham’s connections with the history of slavery. The exhibition starts tomorrow (September 8) and dates and times can be found here

Keynsham Through Time is part of Heritage Open Days, a national programme of events to celebrate the cultural heritage of England and its communities.

Keynsham Through Time has been made possible through Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme, part of the Historic England Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) Programme. It has been co-curated by local history groups Keynsham Abbey Working Group, Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society and the Saltford Brass Mill Project working in collaboration with officers from Keynsham Town Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “The council is pleased to have worked closely with members of our community in order to bring these significant objects out of storage and onto display. Keynsham has played an important role in our local history since medieval times and beyond, and I’d encourage everyone to come and have a look.”

The HS HAZ is a partnership programme between Bath & North East Somerset Council, Historic England and Keynsham Town Council and aims to make the most of the history and heritage of Keynsham, generating economic growth and improving quality of life in the town centre.

Additional funding support for transportation of objects and installation of displays for Keynsham Through Time has been provided by South West Museum Development.

Local events in Keynsham have been arranged by cultural venues, businesses and community groups with support from Keynsham’s HS HAZ. More information is provided on the Hi Keynsham website.