Shefton Museum

The Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archaeology stood in the Armstrong Building on Newcastle University’s campus. It opened in 1956 and housed more than 800 objects from ancient Greece. The collection began with a £20 grant from the university’s Rector, Charles Bosanquet. Professor Brian B. Shefton founded and curated the museum until 1984. After his retirement, Professor Tony Spawforth took over as curator. The museum closed in 2008 when its holdings moved to the Great North Museum: Hancock. Its artefacts included pottery, jewellery and sculpture from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period. Many pieces came from excavations in Italy and Greece. Shefton’s travels and contacts helped build the collection. Some objects date back to the 8th century BC. Others reflect daily life in ancient Greek cities. The museum offered a focused view of Greek civilisation. Visitors found the displays arranged by period and type. Cases held finely painted vases and delicate gold rings. Small bronze figures stood beside larger marble heads. The Armstrong Building’s classical architecture framed the exhibits. After the move, the collection became part of the Great North Museum’s wider displays. The Hancock’s galleries now present these works alongside other ancient Mediterranean finds.