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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Museum Garden

The Museum Garden

For National Gardening Week (April 26-May 2) we wanted to share with you some insights on Horsham Museum's Garden written by our volunteers who work tirelessly in the garden whatever the weather to maintain its stunning appearance!

Published: 27 Apr 2021

Two photos of the former Albery display in Horsham Museum. The space is bare and the exposed beams and tile floor are in tact

Updating the Displays: The Albery Display

The Albery display has been removed and put in storage. As you can see, the space looks quite different without it! In 2022 when the Barn re-opens parts of the collection will be on display with the transport collection. We take a look back on the history of the Albery collection.

Published: 22 Apr 2021

Rifle regiment

221 year old Horsham link to HRH Prince Philip’s Funeral

The Rifles Regiment prominent at the Funeral of HRH Prince Philip has a 221-year-old history that has its origins in Horsham in West Sussex

Published: 20 Apr 2021

White text on blue background reads Museum Refresh 2020-2021 An Overview

Updating the Displays: New Themes

It has been a busy month at the museum. We’re currently waiting for re-tendering for our construction work, which is very exciting. We’ve emptied every display in the museum, we just need the old cases removed so that new ones can come in. Once that's finished we can get in to do the fun bit, the new object displays!

Published: 30 Mar 2021

Godman Catalogue

A Collector Collected – unique items reveal all

Horsham Museum & Art Gallery have bought two fascinating library catalogues that allow the reader to re-create the intellectual workhorse of Frederick DuCane Godman of South Lodge. This is thanks to the generosity of the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Friends of National Libraries and the Friends of Horsham Museum.

Published: 10 Mar 2021

world book day image

Book Hunters on World Book Day

To celebrate World Book Day, Horsham Museum and Art gallery looks back to a time when book hunting involved hardship, dogged determination and a lot of luck.

Published: 03 Mar 2021

shelley grave stone

Two-hundred years on, getting ready to mark a death

Next year, 8 July 2022, is the bicentenary of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s death. The nation has had 199 years to prepare for this event but how, and with what, will Horsham District Council’s Horsham Museum be marking the occasion?

Published: 25 Feb 2021

A display case filled with various objects dating from 1901-1950.

Updating the Displays: The Horsham Room

An update on our behind the scenes work during lockdown. Find out more about our existing displays, and what we're working on at the moment.

Published: 19 Feb 2021

Thomas Munn

A Perfect Valentine’s Match for LGBTQ+ History Month

A fascinating look at a recent acquisition from 270 years ago telling fascinating tales of failed gay seduction, smuggling, robbery, and a 19-year-old lad courting a rich 70-year-old widow, causing mayhem and gallivanting across England and France in order to escape his work in brick making.

Published: 12 Feb 2021

Bound 1801 census

The First Census

Great Britain conducted its first census 220 years ago this March.  This article looks at that momentous event and its results.

Published: 08 Feb 2021