Arundel Museum facts for kids
Arundel Museum
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| Established | 1964 |
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| Location | Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex |
| Type | Archaeology, Social History and Geology |
Arundel Museum is a special place in the town of Arundel, West Sussex, England. It's like a time capsule, showing off the history of Arundel and the areas around it. The museum is managed by the Arundel Museum Society, which is a charity. This means it relies on amazing volunteers, donations, and fun events to keep going.
Contents
Arundel Museum's Story
The museum has a fascinating history of its own, moving locations and growing over the years.
How the Museum Started
Saving History in the 1960s
The Arundel Museum Society began in 1963. A group of local people wanted to save Arundel's past. At that time, old buildings and history were sometimes forgotten. The society wanted to rescue and protect as much as possible. Their goal was to create a town museum. They got help from experts like Roy Armstrong and Con Ainsworth.
First Home: The Undercroft
In March 1964, the first museum opened. It was in the old prison cells under Arundel Town Hall. It was a unique spot, a bit small and damp, but full of character. Here, the society displayed items showing Arundel's history. From the very start, volunteers ran everything. It was a small museum, but it was one of the first local museums in the area.
Moving to High Street
A Bigger Space in the 1970s
The museum got a big chance in 1975. The old council offices at 61 High Street became empty. The local council offered the building to the museum society. This building was a beautiful old Georgian house. The society created a new museum there, which opened in 1977. Around this time, the Arundel Museum Society officially became a charity.
Growing and Improving
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the museum faced new challenges. Museums needed to meet higher standards for looking after their collections. New ways of preserving old items became more scientific. There were also new national rules for museums. To show they met good standards, museums had to register. Arundel Museum was one of the first in its area to get this "MLA Registration."
The museum grew to have eight different display rooms. In 2000, volunteers collected stories from local people. These stories were published in a book called "Arundel Voices." The museum also got money for a new display about the Port of Arundel. A special town trail was created with ceramic plaques. In 2004, an art gallery was added for exhibitions. The museum also offered town walks, talks, and courses. They even hosted school visits! In 2005, a new, tougher standard called "Accreditation" was introduced. Arundel Museum was again one of the first to achieve it.
An Uncertain Time
Searching for a New Home
From 2000 onwards, the museum faced an uncertain future. The council planned to sell the High Street building. This meant the museum's lease would not be renewed. The Arundel Museum Society tried hard to find a new home. They wanted to move smoothly from one building to another, but it was difficult. In the autumn of 2007, the museum had to leave its High Street home. Volunteers carefully packed every item in the collection. Everything was moved into storage.
Temporary Locations
For the 2008 season and after, the museum kept a presence in Arundel. They opened in temporary buildings, like portacabins. These were next to the car park in Mill Road. Local business people helped pay for this. In October 2011, the museum moved again. This time, it was to Crown Yard Mews. Here, the museum also acted as a tourist information point for Arundel.
A New Beginning: Rescue!
A Vision for the Future
In 2008, two important local groups stepped in to help. The Angmering Park Estate Trust and the Norfolk Estate offered a solution. They agreed to provide a perfect spot for a new museum building. This site was in the middle of the main tourist area. It was where St Nicholas Hall used to be, right across from the Lower Castle Gate.
So, the Arundel Museum Society started working on two main things:
- First, they needed plans for the new building. An architect named Graham Whitehouse created the designs. He also helped the society get building permission. Jonothan Potter worked on the ideas for the new displays inside.
- Second, the society needed to raise a lot of money. They aimed for £1.6 million to build and fit out their new permanent home. The first step was to apply for money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Funding and Construction
Building permission was given in March 2009. In early 2010, the museum got good news. Their first application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was successful! They received £102,800. This money was for developing more detailed plans. It also allowed them to apply for even more funding, up to £888,000. The second, bigger application was sent in November.
At the end of March 2011, the society heard great news again. The Heritage Lottery Fund agreed to give them £888,000! This grant, along with £385,500 from Arun District Council, £50,000 raised locally, and other funds, meant they had enough money to build.
Construction of the new museum started in early 2012. St Nicholas Hall was taken down in February. Then, archaeologists checked the site before building began.
The New Museum Opens
The new Arundel Museum is right next to the river. It's also opposite the Lower Castle Gate. The Duke of Norfolk officially opened it on June 24, 2013. It's a fantastic modern home for Arundel's amazing history!
See also
