Henfield Museum
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    • The Marjorie Baker Photo Collection >
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Collections

Introducing our Collections

For detailed information on our main collections, view the drop-down menu above under Collections. If you have an enquiry about an object we hold (or you think we may hold), please contact us.
Select a Favourite Object
Miscellaneous Collections

We have a wide variety of objects in our collections, ranging from a natural history cabinet of early fossils, Mesolithic and Neolithic flint implements, via items from the Roman, Medieval and Tudor eras, to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods.

​Household and some more exotic objects from these times recall the reality of life for the people of Henfield. Reflecting the main occupation of the village until the last century, we have a large collection of vintage farming tools on display with a horse-drawn plough and mid-Victorian pump greeting visitors outside.

Railway relics and an accurate model of Henfield's station remind us of the Horsham to Shoreham Railway, closed in 1966 and now in use by the village as the Downs Link cycle path. Wartime costume and an air raid siren tell of the days when the Battle of Britain raged in the skies above. The two century old school bell may ring if you're lucky and violet products tell of the once famous Allen-Brown Violet Nurseries and the guestbook of a famous actress, writer and suffrage campaigner tells the tale of high profile visitors of the past.


In Pride of Place

​One of our most eccentric items is a working change eight bell set completed in 1850 by local carpenter and character, Bob Ward (of 'Cat House' fame). It is also hard to miss the penny farthing bicycle made in 1887 by Mr. W. A. Powell, who later displayed it above his bicycle workshop in the High Street. Nearby is a one man ambulance purchased by the Parish Council in 1908 and in use until the 1930s (find the photo of it on this site!). 


Photographs and Paintings

​The Museum holds an extensive collection of local paintings and photographs from the mid Victorian era until the late 20th century showing the village, churches, farmhouses, country houses, cottages and rural lanes - as well as the people and events which gave them life.
​We are also lucky to hold the extensive Marjorie Baker Collection of negatives and photographs, primarily comprising her painstaking portrait work from the 1930s to 1990s. 
​

Costume

We hold an extensive costume collection, with a wide variety of primarily 19th to mid 20th century dresses, with other items ranging from the later 1770s to 1970s! The bright Victorian uniforms of the Sussex Rifle Volunteers, made by Longley's of Henfield are on permanent display.

Objects in Focus

Sussex Rifle Volunteers Uniform
Sussex Rifle Volunteers uniform
Uniforms of the Sussex Rifle Volunteers Regiment (the Territorials of their era) were made by the long established Longley Bros. outfitters, close to the museum in Henfield High Street

Change 8 Bell Set
Picture
Our 1849 Change 8 Bell Set, made as a novelty by carpenter Robert 'Bob' Ward of the Cat House. Two years' evening working in the making, it replicates the sound of church bells. Featured in the 'Heritage of Horsham District in 100 Objects' & registered in the virtual collection of the Royal College of Music. Click here to hear it come alive
Toys and Childhood

​Say 'Hello!' to our collection of dolls, figurines and children's toys, primarily dating from the 19th - early 20th centuries. Many are on permanent display in our toy case.
Picture
Meet Diana, a premium china doll of 1910. She has a quivering tongue and fluttering eyes which will have seen much over the past century and more. Hair and clothing are replacements in the original style. She sits upon a chair a decade or so younger and from Henfield's (John) Eardley Hall Memorial Institute working men's club - named after its founding Chairman from Barrow Hill. It is dedicated to the memory and good efforts of the later Chairman and eager bell ringer William Markwell (whose portrait also resides in the museum). The Institute lasted from 1901 until 1962, while the chair and Diana are still going strong today!
​Website funded by the Friends of Henfield Museum, built & maintained by R. S. Gordon. Credit to Mike Ainscough for moving the website idea from discussion to reality.
Henfield Museum, 2023, All rights reserved except where stated otherwise.
  • Home
    • Our Vision
    • The History of Henfield Museum
  • Collections
    • The Marjorie Baker Photo Collection >
      • Those Who Served
    • Costume
    • Our Art Collection
    • Wade Family Watercolours
    • Historic Photograph Collection
    • Audio Library
    • Maps & Aerial Photos
  • Exhibitions
  • Henfieldians Past
  • Blog
  • Heritage Projects
    • Henfield's Natural History >
      • Arborea
      • The William Borrer Transcription Project
    • Oral Histories
    • A Favourite Object
    • Henfield Heritage Trails
    • Local History Research
  • Friends of Henfield Museum
    • Join Form: The Friends of Henfield Museum
  • Henfield History Group
  • Key Resources
  • Education & Outreach
  • Gift Shop
  • Contact Us and Opening Times