In 1931 John Lamplugh Kirk, a physician and amateur archaeologist based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, advertised for expressions of interest from sites who wished to house his large collection of objects relating to the study of Social History.

[2] The Female Prison was bought by the City of York Corporation in 1934 and modified to house the Kirk Collection of "bygones", opening as the Castle Museum on 23 April 1938.

During this time she expanded the education offer and developed an interactive approach to the collections by allowing visitors to handle objects.

[8] In 2012, the Kirkgate street was redeveloped to reflect a broader view of Victorian society, including back alleys and a slum dwelling.

[14] It reopened on 2 December 2020 with a temporary 'Christmas on Kirkgate' experience featuring decorations, nutcracker dolls, snow, and music.

[18] On 27 September 2023 the Female Prison part of the museum was closed to the public as a precaution, following the discovery of RAAC in its roof.

[19] A report presented to the City of York Council on 9 April highlighted that this partial closure of the museum resulted in a loss of revenue of £400,000.

[22] It is a three-storey building with a central range and clock turret flanked by projecting wings built with Tadcaster limestone and brick walls, and a lead and slate roof.