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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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

St Leonard Forest map

When a Map is Not a Map in the Age of Shakespeare

Horsham Museum & Art Gallery has just acquired a very rare copy of the map to be part of its new gallery on Horsham District in the medieval and Tudor periods.

Published: 19 Jan 2021

poster unemployment horsham

Unemployment in 1921 - 100 years on

We are currently seeing a rise in unemployment caused by the impact of COVID-19. Interestingly, 100 years ago, the impact of Spanish Flu and the post-war depression had a similar effect.

Published: 13 Jan 2021

Woman at fireplace

Home is Where the Hearth Is

We look at that key feature of a home, the hearth, which has historically been central to homemaking.

Published: 08 Jan 2021

St Peters Cowfold

A Stained Present

A dazzling, jewelled-like masterpiece has been acquired by Horsham District Council’s Horsham Museum and Art Gallery.  The bright radiant colours, as fresh as they day they were painted, adorn a stunning miniature version of the original design for stained-glass windows at St Peter’s, Cowfold.

Published: 18 Dec 2020

Hogarth Harlot

Horsham Harlots

A look at corruption in 18th Century Horsham

Published: 10 Dec 2020

Colour photograph of a woman with a short grey bob wearing a purple jumper, Dr Annabelle Hughes. She is sat on an armchair in from of a patio door and next to a chess set.

Dr Annabelle Hughes (13/8/1941 - 28/11/2020)

Obituary of Dr Annabelle Hughes (13/8/1941 - 28/11/2020) by Jeremy Knight.

Published: 30 Nov 2020