The Portico c1860

The infilling of The Portico, which was completed in 1906 with extensions at the rear is today’s Public Library. Stamford Borough Council bought the White Lion Inn as the site for The Portico with the Butcher’s Shambles behind running back to Broad Street. Constructed between 1804 and 1808 this photograph (c1860) shows members of the Borough Police Force in attendance. To the left we can just see the Police Station and to the right the house for the Town Beadle. The Portico was also used to store the town’s Fire Engine. In 1961 a small museum was opened in the building and today (2025) houses the Discover Stamford permanent exhibition.