| Copyright (c) 2010 FNS Weddings | | | | objects for the museum during the years between |
| The Bowes Museum - situated in the market town of | | | | 1862 and 1874. It is tragic that Josephine died in 1874 |
| Barnard Castle, in the beautiful area of Teesdale, | | | | and never saw the museum completed. Sadly John |
| County Durham lies only 20 minutes drive along the | | | | died in 1885 before the museums completion and so |
| A66 from the Scotch corner junction of the A1. Its | | | | did not fulfil Josephine's wish of "laying the top stone". |
| creation belies quite a romantic history. | | | | Undeterred by their passing the museum was seen |
| John Bowes, born in 1811 was the son of the 10th Earl | | | | through to completion by the museum trustees and |
| of Strathmore. Although they had lived together as | | | | opened it's doors to the public for the first time on the |
| man and wife for many years John's parents only | | | | 10th June 1892. |
| married 16 hours prior to the death of the Earl of | | | | Although there are so many beautiful pieces of art to |
| Strathmore. Following a long legal battle where John | | | | see in the museum one of the most famous and from |
| Bowes was awarded the Durham Estates John was | | | | which the museum takes it's logo is the 230 year old |
| never recognised as the legitimate heir to the | | | | life sized Silver Swan. The Swan is an English Silver |
| Strathmore title. Educated at Eton, John Bowes | | | | automation which is still in working order and is |
| became a very successful businessman. From 1847 | | | | operated daily at the museum. It is simply beautiful. |
| he divided his time between France and England. | | | | One can see in the building architecture of the |
| John Bowes had a passion for the arts. John Bowes | | | | museum the French influence - taking 23 years to build |
| met his future wife in Paris during 1847 where he | | | | the museum is very similar to a French chateau. The |
| purchased a theatre - Parisian born actress Josephine | | | | museum gardens were designed by John and |
| Coffin-Chevallier. They married in 1852. Josephine, | | | | Josephine and comprise of formal gardens and |
| herself a talented amateur painter shared her | | | | parkland. The fountains are magnificent on the terrace |
| husbands passion for the arts and art forms, including | | | | at the front of the house. |
| paintings, ceramics, furniture and textiles. With the idea | | | | With its beautiful architecture, fabulous grounds and |
| of making the art they so loved accessible to "the | | | | mouth watering menus the Bowes Museum offers |
| people" John and Josephine decided to build a | | | | everything and more you could possibly wish for in a |
| museum very close to Barnard Castle. As Josephine | | | | wedding venue, a special occasion or simply a brilliant |
| laid the foundation stone in 1869 she said: "I lay the | | | | day out with the family. |
| bottom stone, and you, Mr. Bowes, will lay the top | | | | We are honoured to be the only officially |
| stone." | | | | recommended photographers of the Bowes Museum. |
| Between them John and Josephine purchased 15,000 | | | | |