The life of a man who has literally shaped King’s Lynn’s landscape is the subject of a new exhibition opening this week.
The Henry Bell exhibition, appropriately housed within the King’s Lynn born architect’s most iconic building, the King’s Lynn Custom House, uses pictures, models, plans and other documents to trace Bell’s life and to explore the impact he had upon King’s Lynn.
Hired by the influential merchants, who ruled King’s Lynn during the post-Restoration period, Bell was tasked with creating statement buildings that would convey the town’s sophistication and draw Europeans to spend their money in the town.
The result: the Custom House - an elegant merchants’ exchange, and the Duke’s Head Hotel - a place for foreign guests to stay and be entertained by the town’s elite.
The exhibition also contains drawings of the elaborate market cross designed by Bell which used to grace the Tuesday Market Place. The octagonal cross, created in 1710, was demolished in 1831.
Colouring activities are available for young architects of the future.
Entry costs £1 for adults and 50 p for children. The exhibition is open Monday - Saturday 10.30 am- 3.30 pm and Sunday 12 noon - 3.30 pm.
The exhibition runs until April 2012.
