New faith museum in Bishop Auckland
Last Saturday, the country's first ever Faith Museum opened in Bishop Auckland – with some interesting Quaker exhibits on display.
Leading visitors on a journey through 6000 years of British history, the museum explores the myriad ways in which faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain. There are more than 250 objects from 50 lenders across England, Scotland and Wales, including rarely seen objects, national treasures, personal mementos and contemporary commissions.
Quakers in Britain have lent the museum a cup and saucer from the 1820s depicting an enslaved woman. The family bought the tea-ware from the money saved when they gave up sugar in protest against the slave trade.
The new museum has been designed and built to reflect the architecture of a medieval tithe barn building constructed using local sandstone.