The Bowes Museum is in Teesdale in the market town of Barnard Castle. The museum was purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes. The diverse collection spans over three floors of the magnificent building and contains thousands of items collected by the Bowes between 1862 and 1874. When Joséphine died in 1874, John ceased collecting, fortunately the building did continue, but John died in 1885. Trustees and The Bowes Museum was finally opened to the public on 10th June 1892 and attracted nearly 63,000 visitors in its first year.

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