How it started
The museum was opened by Gordon and Margaret Boswell on 25th February 1995, this would of been Gordon's fathers Sylvester Gordon Boswell's 100th birthday.
Gordon was born into a very well known Romany family, who can trace their ancestors back many, many, generations.
Gordon was asked to do talks to local groups about his trips to Appleby Horse Fair by horse and wagon, which were very popular, people then started to say that is was a shame that he could not bring along a wagon so they could see it in the flesh. This then gave Gordon a push to open his museum, he had always had wagons, carts, harness and horses that he used for pleasure, so it only seemed the logical thing to do, to open up his collection to the public along with family photos.
He set to with help of his son to make the building more accessible to the public, this was then opened on the 25th January 1995. Since them his collection has grown to what it is today.
Gordon also wanted to highlight his culture and heritage so that the old ways did not get forgotten. Gordon and Margaret decided to open the museum to groups and schools on the days he was not open to the general public so that they can experience it with a personal guided tour of the museum along with a talk by Gordon and a slide show on their trips up to Appleby Horse Fair by horse and wagon. This has been very popular and has grown over the years, with many groups coming back.
Gordon was born into a very well known Romany family, who can trace their ancestors back many, many, generations.
Gordon was asked to do talks to local groups about his trips to Appleby Horse Fair by horse and wagon, which were very popular, people then started to say that is was a shame that he could not bring along a wagon so they could see it in the flesh. This then gave Gordon a push to open his museum, he had always had wagons, carts, harness and horses that he used for pleasure, so it only seemed the logical thing to do, to open up his collection to the public along with family photos.
He set to with help of his son to make the building more accessible to the public, this was then opened on the 25th January 1995. Since them his collection has grown to what it is today.
Gordon also wanted to highlight his culture and heritage so that the old ways did not get forgotten. Gordon and Margaret decided to open the museum to groups and schools on the days he was not open to the general public so that they can experience it with a personal guided tour of the museum along with a talk by Gordon and a slide show on their trips up to Appleby Horse Fair by horse and wagon. This has been very popular and has grown over the years, with many groups coming back.
Gordon and Margaret Boswell in the museum
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Gordon sitting on the steps of his open lot, this wagon has travelled thousands of miles going up to Appleby and back
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The inside of Gordon's fathers wagon, that he built and painted when he was in his 70's, photo at the back is of Sylvester Gordon Boswell, Gordon's father.
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