Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Hertford Museum - Discover Local Heritage
Hertford Museum stands as a custodian of local heritage, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of Hertford and its surrounding villages. Established in 1903, we care for over 100,000 objects spanning archaeology, natural history, art, and social history, including the world's largest toothbrush collection from the Addis Company Archive. Our team delivers engaging educational workshops for schools, both on-site and in classrooms, aligned with the National Curriculum. We host rotating exhibitions and community events, offering a dynamic space for learning and cultural exchange. As a registered charity, we rely on donations, grants, and volunteer support to maintain our collections and programs.Our accessibility initiatives ensure all visitors can explore Hertford's heritage, with facilities including wheelchair access and tactile exhibits. Through partnerships with local schools and businesses, we foster community engagement and historical awareness. Our venue hire services provide unique spaces for meetings and events, supporting our mission to remain financially sustainable. With free admission, we strive to make history accessible to all, welcoming over 30,000 visitors annually. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to preserve East Hertfordshire's cultural legacy for future generations.
Services
Exhibitions
School Workshops
Venue Hire
Collections Access
Community Events
Details
- Year established: 1903
Highlights and features
- We offer free admission to our permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
- Our school workshops align with National Curriculum history, science and geography topics
- We house the world's largest collection of toothbrushes from the Addis Company Archive
- We provide accessible facilities including wheelchair access and tactile exhibits
- Our venue hire spaces support community events and corporate meetings
What people say
Excellent introduction to Victorian life
Children excited by artefacts
Helps understand World War I
Inspired deeper historical interest
Valued community resource
Services
Exhibitions
Our rotating exhibitions showcase Hertford's heritage through archaeology, art, and social history collections. Temporary displays change quarterly while permanent exhibits feature the Addis toothbrush archive. All exhibitions include educational materials and interactive elements for visitors of all ages.
School Workshops
Curriculum-linked workshops for Key Stages 1-4 use handling collections to bring history to life. Sessions cover Victorian life, World War I, and local archaeology with artefact-based learning. Outreach programs deliver these experiences directly to schools across Hertfordshire.
Venue Hire
The Andrews Room provides a historic setting for meetings and community events. Equipped with modern facilities while retaining period features, this versatile space accommodates up to 50 people with catering options available.
Collections Access
Specialist access to reserve collections is available by appointment for academic research and museum professionals. Our archives contain 100,000+ objects including photographic records, oral histories, and geological specimens from East Hertfordshire.
Community Events
Regular events include curator-led talks, reminiscence sessions for seniors, and family activities during school holidays. These programs create opportunities for local residents to engage with their heritage through hands-on experiences and expert guidance.
Questions
What are the museum's opening hours?
We're open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00 and Sundays 12:00-16:00. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Is there an admission charge?
Entry to our permanent collections and exhibitions is free. Special events may have separate charges.
Do you offer educational programs for schools?
We provide curriculum-linked workshops for Key Stages 1-4, available on-site or as outreach programs in schools across Hertfordshire.
How can I support the museum?
Support options include donations, becoming a Friend member, corporate patronage, or joining our Super 100 Lottery Club.
Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?
We offer wheelchair access, accessible toilets, and tactile exhibits. Disabled parking is available on Bull Plain.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Crystal Leader
Jan 17, 2022
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A superbly curated display of local history and spirit of local people. Having visited the museum, we found walking in the local streets a lot more interesting as we are better informed.
Mark Lines-Davies
Jan 24, 2021
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Great example of a small local museum. Just the sort of place to have a little wander around. Recommended
Jenny Wright
Nov 05, 2020
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Lovely helpful staff, very welcoming. Interesting exhibits well displayed with good local information.
Sue Hartga
Oct 07, 2020
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Good Covid measures in place and a friendly welcome. No need to book as an individual. Free entry and a fascinating pared down insight to Hertford. The DANAD exhibition which is on until January 2021 is worth a visit.
Sandra
Sep 05, 2020
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I love this museum. It's got a little shop and quite a lot of artifacts from Britain and the rest of the world. There's a hands on children's area to keep little ones busy. My daughter likes to go there when in hertford and each time I see something I missed from a different visit. Recommend heading there if in Hertford Town.
