[Atarah]

Flippin eck Walter. You are keeping me up! Was just on my way up to bed! I had read that the museum at the Peel Park was the first. Now I have more knowledge!
4 years!!! You have won me by 4 years! Whats that amongst friends!
Many many years ago a portion of what we know as the old Accrington Stanley football pitch was purchased by a Mr John Cockshutt, and made into public gardens and named Peel Park Gardens, a charge being made for admission. For a long time these were known as "Cockshutt Gardens" by the good folk of Accrington. He built the Peel Park Hotel. Attracted by the glowing reports of the gold rush in Australia, he emigrated there.
The gardens were purchased from him in 1859 by Mr James Greenwood (see post 23) who came from Todmorden, where he had a public museum. He transferred his collection to an upper room adjoining the Peel Park Hotel and continued the gardens as a place of entertainment. It became a popular resort at a period when such pleasure grounds were in fashion. There was a special open air dancing platform, and on Saturdays and holiday times during the Summer, a band presented a gala appearance. Near the entrance to the Museum was a collection of small living animals, whilst upstairs the items had mainly been collected by Mr Greenwood. At his death the contents were sold by public auction, many of the items finding their way to Blackburn Museum.
Within the gardens was a "playing fountain", with ornamental rockery. Here were brought the carved corbels from "the Black Abbey" and there they remained, until transferred by permission of Messrs. Thwaites. These I am pleased to say, are most def in The Haworth Art Gallery.