"This is the only museum dedicated to the life and work of Robert Owen. It is housed inside the Town Council offices in the centre of Newtown - a building which was constructed in 1902, partly with money donated in memory of Owen.
The museum is set out very much like an ordinary home and includes all kinds of items associated with Owen - his books and pamphlets, letters and other belongings as well as prints of America and New Lanark where he put some of his social reforms into practice.
Text panels on the walls relate the story of his life and visitors can watch a half-hour video about him.
Robert Owen came back to Newtown to die in and you can see his grand tombstone nearby at St Mary's Church in the town. There's also a statue of the man in the memorial gardens near the town centre.
The museum is a registered charity and a voluntary organisation, depeding mainly on donations. A collection of pamphlets and books written by Owen are on sale in the museum's shop. on sale at the centre.
Anniversary Celebration Events 2008
The following is a diary of various events planned for this year.
The travelling exhibition which was launched at the Senedd in February will be on display at Newtown public library for one month from 17 March. The exhibition has been created under the auspices of the Robert Owen Network and funded by a grant of £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The complete exhibition will be taken to major venues and smaller sections can also be shown at smaller venues such as village halls, in order to reach the widest possible audience.
Online exhibition is now available at
www.robertowen2008.coop
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
6-8 April: Our Chairman and Mrs Burton join the Robert Owen Network visit to New Lanark
10 April: A talk "Remembering Robert Owen" will be given by our member David Pugh to Newtown and District Civic Society at 7.30pm at the United Reformed Church Hall. Non -members of the society are welcome (admission £2 for non-members).
17 May: The Co-operative Group hold a Family Fun Day at Hafren School. This is the nearest Saturday to Robert Owen's birthday - it is suggested that we should lay a wreath on his tomb, as in previous years.
12 July: Gala Concert at 6.30pm at Theatre Hafren; tickets for Co-operative members at the subsidised price of £6.
14-17 August: International academic conference at Gregynog Hall, near Newtown. Our member Alan Spence has subitted a paper "New Lanark, Garden Cities and the Co-operative Commonwealth."
Calendar Work is in progress to produce a calendar for the academic year to be launched at the Gregynog conference.
15 November: The last event this year will be a commemorative lecture by Professor Chris Williams at Theatre Hafren."
Click here to read more about the life and work of Robert Owen.
Open
Monday - Friday 9:30 - 12:00 and 2:00 - 3:30;
Saturday 9:30 - 11:30
The Museum is open throughout the year, except Christmas Week and Good Friday.
Location
The Cross, Broad Street, Newtown, Powys SY16 2BB
Telephone
01686 626345 Admission
Free
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