Old black and white photo showing an aerial view of the Winter Gardens.
A view of the Winter Gardens in April 1924. © Historic England Archive. Aerofilms Collection EPW010379.
A view of the Winter Gardens in April 1924. © Historic England Archive. Aerofilms Collection EPW010379.

1: Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

Grade II listed

During his tour of Britain in 1877, former US President Ulysses Grant attended the public ceremony where Alderman Samuel Storey laid the first stone. The Museum opened in 1879 and its design, originally modelled on the Crystal Palace, resembles a French chateau.

The Winter Gardens just behind the Museum echoed the original design until the glass structure was damaged in 1941 by an air raid and was later demolished.

Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Museum was restored and the Winter Gardens rebuilt in 2001.

Next stop: Athenaeum Buildings

Also of interest

Missing Pieces Project