One of "Britain's Best Museums and Galleries" according to Mark Fisher (2004) and deemed "the most thought-provoking in the Lakes" by The Rough Guide to the Lake District, The Ruskin Museum tells The Story of Coniston - its textbook geology, slate-quarrying and copper-mining; its dry-stone walls; and its thousand year history of hefted Herdwick sheep. The Ruskin Museum honours two local heroes - John Ruskin, Britain's greatest critic of art and architecture, who subverted Capitalist views on industrialisation and political economy, inspiring the early Socialists, and laying the foundations for the welfare state; and the speed ace Donald Campbell, holder of seven world water speed records (four of which were captured on Coniston Water), who was killed in action on the lake when Bluebird K7 crashed whilst attempting to raise the record to over 300mph on January 4, 1967.
Bluebird K7 is being fully conserved and rebuilt to operational order; the jet-powered hydroplane is scheduled to return for permanent display in the museum eventually. Up to date information will be posted on www.bluebirdproject.com. Meanwhile, there is plenty of Campbell and Bluebird memorabilia on show in our new Bluebird wing.