East Grinstead’s Best Kept Secret

by Sheila Fennings

East Grinstead Museum, tucked away in the heart of the town, is probably East Grinstead’s best kept secret. The Museum has just celebrated receiving 20,000 visitors since it opened in its new building in September 2006.

The new building, winner of a Mid Sussex Council Architecture Award, provides a modern and accessible venue for local people and visitors alike. There is an incredible sense of space in the main gallery with its interesting and varied permanent displays that explore the history of East Grinstead and its surrounding villages. Artefacts, ephemera, memorabilia and images are displayed in a way that is simple, colourful and engaging. These are interspersed with touch-screen interactives and a specially edited film that brings the past alive.

Temporary exhibitions, which focus on local organisations and anniversaries, change every three or four months. The current exhibition, which runs until the end of January 2010 is about Sackville College. This magnificent Jacobean building, described as “the architectural gem of East Grinstead” is celebrating 400 years as an almshouse. The exhibition explains why it was built and who by. There is also mention of several of the 99 wardens who have been in charge, the best known being the Rev John Mason Neale who wrote many hymns and carols, among them Good King Wenceslas. The highlight of the exhibition is a recreation of one of the rooms in the college. Originally a kitchen, it then became the refectory and today is used a Common Room for the 14 residents.

Curator's Corner, a dedicated 'hands on' area, provides lots of activities and quizzes for younger visitors.

Creative activities for children's are held regularly, usually in school holidays. Forthcoming activities are The Big Draw on Tuesday, 27th October – work with local artists to create a collage of Sackville College to celebrate its 400th anniversary, and Christmas Fun and Crafts on Sunday, 6th December – lots of things to make and do for Christmas.

The Museum receives no guaranteed funding, so the profit from the small Museum shop and donations from visitors are needed to help with the running costs.

With free admission, longer opening hours and a convenient location behind East Grinstead’s historic medieval high street, dropping by for a visit is now a local habit!

East Grinstead Museum

Old Market Yard, Cantelupe Road,

East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3XA

Tel: 01342 323075

www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk

Opening Times:

Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am-4pm,

Sundays and Bank Holidays 2-5pm

Closed over the Christmas period

FREE admission