Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Discover East Grinstead's History
East Grinstead Museum has been dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of East Grinstead and its surrounding areas since 1926. Our purpose-built facility, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and local community efforts, houses over 20,000 artefacts, images, and archives spanning from prehistoric times to the present day. We specialise in telling the story of Archibald McIndoe's pioneering work with the Guinea Pig Club during World War II, alongside broader narratives of local history, industry, and culture. Our team of experienced volunteers and professionals provides accessible educational programmes, interactive exhibitions, and research facilities that engage visitors of all ages. Recognised for our commitment to historical preservation and community engagement, we maintain rigorous standards of curation and public service.As a registered charity, we rely on donations and support from patrons to continue our work. Our accessible venue features wheelchair-friendly spaces, a research room with extensive archives, and temporary exhibition areas that rotate throughout the year. We actively seek contributions from the public to document contemporary history, including our recent Lockdown Life project capturing experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through school programmes, guided tours, and outreach initiatives, we strive to make local history accessible and relevant to new generations. Our dedication to excellence in museum practice is demonstrated through our accreditation status and partnerships with historical organisations.
Services
Historical Exhibitions
Educational Programmes
Research Room Access
Venue Hire
Community Projects
Details
- Year established: 1926
Highlights and features
- We offer free admission to all our permanent exhibitions
- Our collection includes over 20,000 historical artefacts and documents
- We provide accessible facilities for all visitors including wheelchair access
- Our educational programmes are tailored for schools and community groups
- We maintain strong connections with local history and heritage organisations
Associations and certifications
- Heritage Lottery Fund
What people say
Hidden gem
Fascinating exhibits
Friendly staff
Educational value
Interactive displays
Services
Historical Exhibitions
Our permanent and temporary exhibitions showcase East Grinstead's history through artefacts, photographs, and interactive displays. Visitors explore themes from prehistoric times to modern developments, including the town's role in World War II medical advancements. The flagship 'Rebuilding Bodies and Souls' exhibition details Archibald McIndoe's pioneering plastic surgery techniques and the Guinea Pig Club story.
Educational Programmes
We offer curriculum-linked educational sessions for primary and secondary schools focusing on local history, wartime experiences, and museum studies. Programmes include guided tours, hands-on object handling, and special projects like our Lockdown Life documentation initiative. Adult learning groups benefit from specialist talks and archive research opportunities with our experienced staff.
Research Facilities
Our research room provides access to extensive archives, photograph collections, and specialist books for historians, students, and family researchers. Staff assist with exploring local history resources including business records, building histories, and personal archives. Appointments are available for in-depth research into specific historical topics or genealogical investigations.
Community Projects
We actively engage the community through participatory projects documenting contemporary history, such as our Lockdown Life collection capturing pandemic experiences. The museum works with local groups to preserve diverse community stories and hosts events encouraging public contributions to our collections. These initiatives ensure our exhibitions reflect the living history of East Grinstead residents.
Venue Hire
Our purpose-built museum offers a distinctive venue for meetings, receptions, and cultural events. The accessible space accommodates up to 50 people with modern facilities while maintaining historical character. Corporate clients and community groups benefit from our central location and unique atmosphere, with exhibition access enhancing special occasions and professional gatherings.
Questions
Is entry to East Grinstead Museum free?
Yes, admission to our permanent exhibitions is completely free, though we welcome voluntary donations to support our operations.
What are the museum's opening hours?
We're open Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm, with occasional special openings for events.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, our entire ground floor is wheelchair accessible with level access throughout and accessible toilet facilities.
Do you have educational resources for schools?
We offer curriculum-linked programmes for schools including guided tours, object handling sessions, and special project workshops.
Can I donate historical items to the museum?
We welcome potential donations that relate to East Grinstead's history - please contact us to discuss possible contributions.
Are there parking facilities available?
We have one disabled parking space at the museum and nearby public car parks with permit requirements.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Nicole Barnes
Oct 20, 2021
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Lovely opportunity to hear, read and learn about the local area. This museum really brings history to life. Great exhibitions
Michael Hilton
Jun 18, 2021
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Excellent museum small but packed with detail and exhibits. Volunteers outstanding and very helpful. Recommend a visit.
Ana Silva
May 31, 2021
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Beautiful town with lovely people. Loved is town Museum . Small but full of information. Thank you for your attention!
Jordan Hannah
Oct 18, 2020
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I traveled down to visited the museum yesterday afternoon. For a while now I have been going into my family history and finding my Great Grandparents were at the hospital during WW2. Great Grandma a British Red Cross Nurse and Great Grandpa a Soilder in the Irish Guards who was taken to the hospital as he was involved in a road accident and was injured/wounded and at the hospital that is how they met eachother! The museum history I found very interesting and also the two lovely ladies who worked there, Helen and Sue were extremely helpful with giving me some more ideas that I can do to find out
