The Music Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Archaeological Evaluation Report and Building Assessment

In October 2006, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out a field evaluation and building assessment at The Music Hall, Shrewsbury (NGR SJ 49071242), on behalf of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council. It is proposed to redevelop the Music Hall to incorporate the Shrewsbury Museums Collection, Art Gallery, Tourist Information Centre, cafe' and public toilets. The Music Hall occupies an area of c. 0.2 ha and encapsulated within the complex of buildings are extensive well-preserved structural remains of Vaughan's Mansion, a medieval stone built hall dating to c. 1300.

The evaluation revealed evidence for a mortar surface and two phases of an associated wall. The wall was constructed from Tudor bricks and red sandstone blocks, and may have never been associated with the medieval hall. It is also possible that the wall was constructed from reclaimed material from the 19th century demolition of of parts of the hall. The evaluation also revealed that a slate lined pit, brick walls and a brick built soak-away. These features were probably associated with the 19th century Music Hall.

The building assessment exposed part of the southern wall of Vaughan's Mansion, where it was constructed from rough hewn sandstone blocks. A timber beam was revealed within the wall fronting College Hill, and areas of the Music Hall's 19th-century brick walls were also seen.