YORK’S first umbrella is set to go on show in a new display to mark the Castle Museum’s 80th anniversary.

The umbrella, with a bone handle shaped into a serpent’s head. is thought to be the first to have been brought to York, with the museum’s accession register saying it was given to William Lockwood, who was Sheriff of York, in 1837.

It was donated to the museum in 1939 by J Triffitt from Heworth, and will now go on show as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Also on display will be some of the earliest items donated to the museum, including a mahogany coffee mill, the world’s oldest printed Valentine’s Card and vases donated by Queen Mary following a visit to the museum, which opened in April 1938.

There will also also be re-enactors in Kirkgate, the recreated Victorian Street, playing founder Dr Kirk and one of the first curators, Violet Rodgers and a series of guided talks.