University of Chester Riverside Museum open

Date
Wednesday, 07 May 2025
Time
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location
Wheeler, Chester
Email us for group bookings
Various items found with a soldier, including a lantern, trench orders booklet, mirror, soap, mug, casualty cards, a variety of books and guides, field dressing, all of the items are placed on top of a wooden foldable camp bed used by some officers in WW1.
Open EventCommunityFaculty of Health, Medicine and Society

The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society (FHMS) Historical Society's Riverside Museum will be open between 1pm and 4pm for students, staff and other visitors. Based at the University’s Wheeler Building on Castle Drive, it contains a permanent collection of curiosities from the world of medicine, nursing, midwifery and social work, in addition to an original letter written by Florence Nightingale from Balaclava.

The First World War: Returning Home exhibition provides an insight into what a soldier invalided back from the Front would have found on his return to Cheshire. Using local examples wherever possible, the exhibition covers aspects such as medical advances, the psychological effects of war, volunteering and volunteer nurses, a doctor’s country practice, home life, working women and social welfare. This exhibition has been created by the FHMS Historical Society volunteers and refurbished with the generous help of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Heritage.

Visitors with an interest in health and social care or local and social history are always welcome to visit the Museum and find out more from the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society Historical Society volunteers, many of whom have a healthcare background.

There is no need to book for the standard opening times but group bookings for six or more people can be made at other times by prior arrangement.

People are also very welcome to view the four remaining stained-glass windows from Chester Royal Infirmary which are on display on the first-floor landing. You can either view these in conjunction with visiting the Museum - or at other times when the building is open. Sign in at the main reception and go up the stairs to the first-floor landing (opposite the old Council Chamber). 

How to get there

Access to the Riverside Museum is via one flight of steps to reception followed by lift or stair access to the basement. Those with limited mobility can enter the building via an accessible route and please contact fhsc.histsoc@chester.ac.uk or ring 01244 512126 in advance to make the necessary arrangements.

Access is via main Wheeler Building reception, located in the centre of Chester on Castle Drive by the River Dee. It is accessible via the M53, A55, A483, A51 and A41, and public transport from the city centre.

Cycling

There are cycle shelters at Queen’s Park which are marked with a yellow circle and the letter C on University location maps.

Public Transport

Chester railway station is a 20-minute walk from Wheeler and the Arriva 1 and 11 run frequent services that stop within a short walking distance. The Arrowebrook Coaches 26 also stops nearby. Parking is not available for students at Wheeler, however, all three Park and Ride routes, PR1, PR2 and PR3 have connections within walking distance to the site.

Parking

For alternative car parks, including the nearby Little Roodee, see the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.