The Rossendale Museum is housed in a Victorian house built in 1840 for the Hardman family, who owned a woollen mill across the valley at New Hall Hey. The Museum was opened in 1902 after the house and grounds were purchased by local businessman, Richard Whitaker, who presented them to his native town of Rawtenstall.
The museum has been described as a 'museum within a museum' the fascinating displays include a Victorian drawing room, paintings and object d'art, furniture and an important natural history gallery within 100s of small birds, a baby African elephant, and an internationally important piece of a Tiger and Python in a fight to the death.
There are extensive collections of local history materials ranging from an x-ray machine to clog-making tools. Photo 17th Aug 2004.