A LEICESTER landmark built as a meeting place for a rich and powerful medieval guild will celebrate its centenary as a much-loved city museum in May.
The Guildhall, which dates from 1390, became Leicester’s first town hall in the mid-16th century – but faced an uncertain future when it was replaced by the purpose-built Town Hall in 1876.
Despite calls for its demolition, the ancient timber-framed building was saved, reopening to the public as a museum and performance venue on 19 May 1926 after a major programme of restoration.
To celebrate its centenary as a museum, the Guildhall will be running free guided tours next week that chart the building’s restoration (pictured) and its renaissance as a museum. Taking place on Wednesday (4 March), the tours will run at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Places on the Then & Now: The Guildhall Restoration tours should be booked in advance. There will be another chance to join the Guildhall Restoration tour on 4 May.
A further celebration will take place on the May Day Bank Holiday (Monday 4 May), when the Guildhall will host a day of activities, performances and hands-on history.
People of all ages are invited to enjoy a programme of free events that includes maypole dancing in the courtyard, live medieval music, historical reenactments, guided tours, arts and crafts, and face painting (small charge applies).
There will be music from Damien Clark on the hammered dulcimer and expert insight into the Guildhall’s long history from the Leicester Archaeological & Historical Society, while the Redcoats & Revolutionaries will bring history to life with their period costumes and artillery displays.
All the events run from 11am-3pm on Monday 4 May.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “It’s hard to imagine that the threat of demolition hung over the Guildhall in the early 1920s.
“Thanks to the efforts of the Leicester Archaeological & Historical Society and the determination of city councillors more than a hundred years ago, the building was saved.
“Today, it’s one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in the country and one of the finest surviving timber-framed halls in the city, with its programme of events helping to attract more than 66,000 visitors last year.
“I hope that many more will visit the Guildhall this year as it celebrates this significant anniversary.”
A ceilidh at 4pm, with live music from ceilidh band 3Around3, will round off the centenary celebrations on Monday 4 May. Tickets for the ceilidh – which will take place in the atmospheric setting of the Great Hall – cost £5, with no charge for accompanied children.
All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary, with an expert caller guiding dancers through each step.
Tickets can be purchased here
Picture courtesy of the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland
Historical notes:
The Guildhall, which dates from 1390, was used by the Leicester Corporation from 1495, becoming Leicester’s first Town Hall by 1563 and housing the newly-formed Leicester Borough Police from 1836.
By the late 19th century, however, the medieval building was far too small for the rapidly-expanding town.
When Leicester’s purpose-built Town Hall was built in 1876, the old Guildhall faced an uncertain future, with many calling for its demolition.
Instead, a major programme of restoration in 1922 – spearheaded by the Leicester Archaeological & Historical Society and carried out by the city council – saved the building and secured its future.
The Guildhall reopened to the public as a museum and performance venue on 19 May 1926. It was designated as a Grade I Listed Building in 1950.
More information about the history of the Guildhall can be found on the Story of Leicester website.