SNN110819 - Historic building recording and archaeological observation at the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery and the Old Gaol, Northampton, Northamptonshire

MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) carried out a programme of historic building recording of the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and the former County Gaol. The former council offices at Guildhall Road were also photographically recorded. A programme of archaeological observation and recording was carried out during ground work. The gaol was opened in 1846 with capacity for 150 inmates. It comprised two galleried wings with single-occupant cells arranged along the walls at four floors. Legislative changes rendered the gaol redundant and the east wing was converted for use as a library, public reading room and a museum. The west wing became a Salvation Army barracks with mineral water factory in the basement. In the 1920s the west wing of the gaol was converted into offices by the County Council and was subject to a general re-fenestration and internal re-flooring and re-partitioning. The museum eventually expanded into the full extent of the east wing which was also subject to remodelling.