After a busy closed season, the Panacea Museum is getting ready to welcome visitors back for 2025 when it reopens on Thursday, 6 February with freshly painted walls and exciting new exhibitions exploring the story of the unique religious sect.
This gem of a museum, located in the heart of Bedford, tells the fascinating story of the Panacea Society, a Christian society founded in 1919. The Society created its own ‘Garden of Eden,’ with a unique spiritual community centred around the Victorian buildings that now house the museum, including ‘The Haven’ and ‘Castleside’ on Newnham Road, and Founder Mabel Barltrop’s home on Albany Road.
Set amidst beautifully maintained grounds, the museum’s outdoor spaces are already beginning to show signs of Spring, echoing the sense of renewal as the Museum embarks on another exciting year of exhibitions and events.
To mark the reopening, a new exhibition is launching on Thursday, 6 February, featuring the work of Bedford-based mother and daughter artists, Jacqui and Lauren Saunders-Love.
Entitled Interior Lives, the duo have responded to the Panacea story and the relationship between Mabel and Dilys Barltrop. Lauren has spent many hours creating photographic art inspired by the museum’s collections, whilst Jacqui has made her signature intricate paper sculptures reflecting the society’s buildings.
There will be associated talks and events along with the exhibition, with details on the Museum’s website.
The museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am- 4pm from Thursday, 6 February to Saturday, 29 March, and moves to summer hours from Thursday, 3 April. Entry to the museum and exhibition is free.
You can find out more about the museum and this year’s programme of events and exhibitions at their website here panaceamuseum.org/events.
The Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX. Nearest car park: Lurke Street multi-storey or St Peter’s Street.
