Heritage hotspot
Cowper & Newton Muesum
Home of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace”, Orchard Side House, the home of William Cowper between 1768 and 1786, became the Cowper Memorial Museum, now known as the Cowper & Newton Museum, in 1900. The building was a gift to the town of Olney following fourteen years of friendship between two local residents, united by their mutual appreciation of Cowper’s work.
The Museum contains a wealth of objects, initially from the many collections Wright persuaded his fellow enthusiasts to donate, then added over the years by numerous benefactors and through grants.The museum has steadily built up its collections, and now has substantial holdings of objects belonging to Cowper and Newton their circle, as well as manuscripts and books relating to their work. There is also a Lace collection and other items illustrating the history of Olney from the earliest times to the 20th century.