Sefton’s history

The Atkinson holds collections relating to the history of Sefton Borough with many objects on display in our Museum, Between Land and Sea – 10,000 Year’s of Sefton’s Coast.

The collection includes original items from the person credited with founding Southport, William Sutton, as well as objects from the many shipwrecks that litter the Sefton Coast including The Mexico Disaster, which was the worst disaster in the history of the RNLI.

There is also a wealth of local history photographs and postcards, ship models, coins and medals, toys and dolls, local archaeology and decorative art collections including a substantial collection of Liverpool Porcelain.

The Atkinson also holds important collections of natural history and taxidermy with many local species represented. As well as all this there is also an impressive collection of costume and costume accessories with many of the pieces either made in Sefton or worn by people from the local area.

The history collection also contains the Goodison Collection of Egyptology. This collection was brought together by Mrs Anne Goodison who had a passion for Egyptology and even taught herself to read hieroglyphics. Mrs Goodison travelled to Egypt and brought together an impressive collection with many rare objects including three paddle dolls. The Goodison collection contains objects that relate to both everyday life and death in ancient Egypt and many are on permanent display in our fantastic Discover Ancient Egypt Gallery.

If you would like to make an appointment to view our collections please email info@theatkinson.co.uk.


Image: F J Hooper after return from the southern Journey with Scot