Haddenham Museum facts for kids

Haddenham Museum is a special place in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, England. It's a museum that tells the story of the village. Volunteers run the museum, which first opened its doors in 1998. You can find it in the Old Schoolroom of the Methodist chapel. The museum collects and keeps old items and information about Haddenham. It shows what life was like in the village long ago.

Visiting Haddenham Museum

The museum is usually open for visitors from March to December. You can visit on Tuesday mornings from 10 AM to 12 PM. It's also open on Sunday afternoons from 2 PM to 4:30 PM. The museum is located behind the Methodist Chapel on High Street. The nearest postcode for finding it is HP17 8ES. In 2020, the opening times were changed to Sundays only.

The Museum's Story

The idea for Haddenham Museum started with an exhibition. This event happened in November 1988. Many local people showed great interest. They loaned their old items for the display. This showed that a museum would be very popular.

After this, a public meeting was held in June 1998. The museum then got permission to use the Chapel's Old Schoolroom. It officially opened on November 1, 1998. On November 1, 2008, the museum celebrated its 10th birthday. This celebration included a display of old cars and trucks. People dressed in old costumes added to the fun.

What You Can See and Do

The museum focuses on how people lived and worked in the village. It shows items from homes, farms, and local businesses. The museum collects old photos and documents too. These items tell the history of the village. They show the buildings, the land, and the people. You can learn about their jobs and important events.

The museum often has special exhibitions. These change every few months. They also help schools and community groups. They offer talks and tours for students. The museum publishes a yearly book series. It's called the Haddenham Chronicles. Local people write these books about the village. Members of the museum get a monthly newsletter. It shares news and interesting stories.

How the Museum is Run

Haddenham Museum is a registered charity. This means it's a non-profit organization. A group of ten trustees oversees the museum. The actor Bruce Alexander is the museum's President. He officially opened the museum. A committee and stewards help manage the collection. Everyone who works at the museum is a volunteer. They give their time for free.

The museum's goal is to be a helpful place for everyone. It wants to be a center for information about the community. The museum gets its money from special events. People also donate money to support it. Becoming a member costs £5 per year for adults. For children, membership is £1 per year.