Museum of Cardiff Guide: The Old Library & City History
A Landmark on The Hayes
Anchoring the northern apex of The Hayes pedestrian thoroughfare, the Museum of Cardiff is housed within the Grade II* listed Old Library. The building serves as a crucial transition point between Cardiff's historic and modern districts, connecting the historic churchyard of St John the Baptist with the contemporary shopping areas.
The building features an ashlar Bath stone facade accented with classical Portland stone columns. Designed by local architectural practice James, Seward & Thomas, with Edwin Seward as the chief architect, it dominates the pedestrian approach. Inside the historic entrance hall, original Victorian ornamental wall tiles are impressed with colored clays to resemble mosaic work, depicting scenes of the four seasons and the transition between day and night.
The Old Library's Rich History
The site originally opened on May 31, 1882, as the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art. This event was treated with enormous civic celebration, prompting a town-wide public holiday and a procession of over 5,000 residents through the streets.
Driven by Cardiff's rapid expansion during the coal boom, the facility was more than doubled in size by E. Turner & Sons. It officially reopened on July 27, 1896, with a ceremony that holds a unique place in history. The event, attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, was captured by cinema pioneer Birt Acres, creating what is recognized as the first-ever newsfilm shot in Britain. The building also retains rare examples of original Victorian engineering, including vertical tube heaters manufactured by William Graham of London. It served as Cardiff's Central Library until 1988.
A Museum Sourced by the People
In 2011, the building found renewed purpose as the Cardiff Story Museum, before being renamed the Museum of Cardiff in 2019. It operates as the first dedicated museum of the city's civic and social history.
Unlike the National Museum Cardiff, which focuses on national art and natural sciences, the Museum of Cardiff focuses entirely on local social history. Its collection of over 3,000 objects was gathered largely through direct public appeals to the people of Cardiff, relying on community contributions and oral histories.
Current Exhibits and Shared Spaces
Today, the Museum of Cardiff operates free, interactive permanent galleries detailing the city's evolution. Exhibits trace Cardiff's journey from a small Norman medieval market settlement into the world's leading coal-exporting port and modern Welsh capital.
The historic Old Library building now serves a dual purpose. Following an agreement established between 2021 and 2023, Cardiff Council leased the building on a 99-year term to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD). The site functions as a community arts, education, and performance hub, sharing the historic space with the museum.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Museum of Cardiff and the National Museum Cardiff?
The Museum of Cardiff focuses specifically on the civic and social history of the city, featuring a collection of over 3,000 objects sourced directly from local residents. In contrast, the National Museum Cardiff focuses on national art, archaeology, and natural sciences.
What is the history of the Old Library building?
The Grade II* listed Old Library originally opened in 1882 as the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art. It served as the city's Central Library until 1988 and later hosted artist studios before becoming the Museum of Cardiff in 2011.
What famous film was shot at the Old Library in Cardiff?
On July 27, 1896, cinema pioneer Birt Acres filmed the reopening ceremony of the expanded library by the Prince and Princess of Wales. This footage is recognized as the first-ever newsfilm shot in Britain.
