Museum 4 Watton, the funkily titled new museum in the small Norfolk town of Watton, opened to the public last week.
First suggested in June 2014 and supported by the town council, the museum was proposed to document the town’s largely unrecorded history. Watton is the only market town in Norfolk that until now has not had a museum, according to the Museum 4 Watton’s website.
One of the key aims of the new museum is to record and preserve the town’s heritage, as well as provide an educational resource for the increasingly diverse and expanding population.
Museums Journal spoke to John Greenbrook, a trustee of Museum 4 Watton:
Why does Watton need a museum?
Watton is a busy market town with a long and varied history. There is evidence of occupation stretching from early Palaeolithic times, through the Iron and Bronze ages, Roman, medieval, to the world war two RAF station, and more recent cold war relics and beyond. Up until now there was nowhere that such evidence could be safely stored, recorded and interpreted. The result of this is that many artefacts and records are thrown away, sold or passed into private collections. More importantly, there is a need for it to be accessible to the public for their interest, research and education.
Can you tell us how the project has developed?
Following the formation of the group in 2014 and its formalisation as a registered charity, the primary quest was for suitable premises. In 2016 we commenced negotiations for two disused rooms in the Grade 2-listed Town Hall, culminating in the signing of a seven year lease at a peppercorn rent. In the meantime, we were completing an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for funding to refurbish, fit out and equip the museum as well as set up various community based activities.
When does it open to the public?
It opened last Friday 16 March, and will open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. The museum is housed in Wayland Hall, which dates from 1853 and built as a Corn Hall.
Who will run the museum day-to-day?
A team of volunteers have been recruited and trained prior to opening last week. We hope to receive between 2,000 and 4,000 visitors in the first year.
What are the highlights of the displays?
The highlights of the display are the hand axe, believed to be at least 500,000 years old, and the Court Baron record books from 1674 to 1924, which have now been digitised thanks to the Co-op and the HLF.
Can you tell us about the skeleton that was found close by?
In 2010, while excavating for a housing development, Bennett Homes Ltd uncovered an inhumation of a Roman skeleton. One of our trustees persuaded the developer to donate a full size model of the skeleton in situ together with display case to the museum's collection, which is on permanent loan to us. Before the museum opened, it went on display in Watton’s secondary school and other locations in the town and excited much interest. It is now housed in the museum.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting to start their own museum?
Our advice would be to ensure that you have a good team with a wide range of skills and experience and not to rush any part of the process, particularly the HLF application.
First suggested in June 2014 and supported by the town council, the museum was proposed to document the town’s largely unrecorded history. Watton is the only market town in Norfolk that until now has not had a museum, according to the Museum 4 Watton’s website.
One of the key aims of the new museum is to record and preserve the town’s heritage, as well as provide an educational resource for the increasingly diverse and expanding population.
Museums Journal spoke to John Greenbrook, a trustee of Museum 4 Watton:
Why does Watton need a museum?
Watton is a busy market town with a long and varied history. There is evidence of occupation stretching from early Palaeolithic times, through the Iron and Bronze ages, Roman, medieval, to the world war two RAF station, and more recent cold war relics and beyond. Up until now there was nowhere that such evidence could be safely stored, recorded and interpreted. The result of this is that many artefacts and records are thrown away, sold or passed into private collections. More importantly, there is a need for it to be accessible to the public for their interest, research and education.
Can you tell us how the project has developed?
Following the formation of the group in 2014 and its formalisation as a registered charity, the primary quest was for suitable premises. In 2016 we commenced negotiations for two disused rooms in the Grade 2-listed Town Hall, culminating in the signing of a seven year lease at a peppercorn rent. In the meantime, we were completing an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for funding to refurbish, fit out and equip the museum as well as set up various community based activities.
When does it open to the public?
It opened last Friday 16 March, and will open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. The museum is housed in Wayland Hall, which dates from 1853 and built as a Corn Hall.
Who will run the museum day-to-day?
A team of volunteers have been recruited and trained prior to opening last week. We hope to receive between 2,000 and 4,000 visitors in the first year.
What are the highlights of the displays?
The highlights of the display are the hand axe, believed to be at least 500,000 years old, and the Court Baron record books from 1674 to 1924, which have now been digitised thanks to the Co-op and the HLF.
Can you tell us about the skeleton that was found close by?
In 2010, while excavating for a housing development, Bennett Homes Ltd uncovered an inhumation of a Roman skeleton. One of our trustees persuaded the developer to donate a full size model of the skeleton in situ together with display case to the museum's collection, which is on permanent loan to us. Before the museum opened, it went on display in Watton’s secondary school and other locations in the town and excited much interest. It is now housed in the museum.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting to start their own museum?
Our advice would be to ensure that you have a good team with a wide range of skills and experience and not to rush any part of the process, particularly the HLF application.
