Blog

Written by the Museum team, the Blog brings you stories from Horsham District’s past, in-depth studies of curious objects, video tours behind-the-scenes in our galleries, and much more.

Use the search box and drop-down list to search for particular topics, or view all posts in date order.

Is there something you’d love us to write about? Email your ideas to museum@horsham.gov.uk

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Stained glass window with image of Percy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley Gallery

This April we unveil a new gallery which focuses on the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Born in Warnham, a village on the edge of Horsham, he is considered one of the major English romantic poets. Born into a prominent Horsham family in 1792, he would have inherited the title of Baronet, and a portfolio of property across Sussex, had he outlived his father. This new gallery will give visitors an overview of his life and work. From his early childhood in Horsham, to his tragic death at age 29 in Italy, the display will give insight into the events, people and places which inspired his poetry.

Published: 22 Mar 2023

Our Curator's Top Five Objects

Horsham Museum Curator, Nikki Caxton discusses her top 5 objects in the collection. Joining the museum in August 2021, her favourite objects constantly shift as she discovers new artefacts in the collection.

Published: 14 Mar 2023

We are taking part in The Wild Escape

Today, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery has announced that it will be joining The Wild Escape, a major new project uniting hundreds of museums with schools and families to find nature in museums.

Published: 14 Mar 2023

Expanding our range of British and sustainable products

This year, the museum shop plans to expand its regional retail offer.

Published: 03 Feb 2023

Painting of millennium celebration

Elizabeth Castell at Horsham Museum

Horsham Museum & Art Gallery acquired over 100 of Elizabeth’s textile and wallpaper designs in 2018. This exhibition combines a selection of these prints and the joyful artworks which she creates today.

Published: 23 Jan 2023

Horse in Star

RSPCA: 200 Years of Animal Welfare

The RSPCA has called Horsham home since the 1970s and 2022 is an important year as it marks 200 years since the world's first animal welfare act, the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act, 1822 (also known as Martin's Act) was passed.   A new exhibition is now open at Horsham Museum & Art Gallery and uncovers the history of the charity over the last 200 years. Items on display are on loan from the RSPCA archive and include an Inspector's uniform from the 1930s, a Queen Victoria gilt silver medal produced for the RSPCA in 1882 and many more artefacts which bring to life the society's rich history.

Published: 26 Nov 2022

Shipley Reliquary

Now on Display: The Shipley Reliquary

From Friday 21st October, the Shipley Reliquary (AD 1139) has been on display in our medieval gallery.

Published: 04 Nov 2022

Oil painting of a stormy landscape

Dion Salvador: Between Earth and Sky

From Saturday 24 September a new exhibition, Dion Salvador Lloyd – Between Earth and Sky, will be on display at Horsham Museum & Art Gallery.

Published: 21 Sep 2022

Stained glass showing the image of the poet Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley: A Poet's Journey

Percy Bysshe Shelley: A Poet's Journey is now open in the museum's temporary exhibition gallery. The exhibition will be open every Tuesday - Saturday until Saturday 24 September 2022.

Published: 11 Jul 2022

Watercolour painting of a stormy sea and a pier

Royal Watercolour Society at Horsham Museum

The Royal Watercolour Society at Horsham Museum opened Saturday 2 July showcasing a selection of artworks by elected Royal Watercolour Society members. From tranquil landscapes to bold abstract pieces, they reveal the diversity of what can be achieved within the medium. All paintings on display are available for sale.

Published: 11 Jul 2022