Previous Exhibitions at East Grinstead Museum

We have an exciting exhibition programme at the Museum, and a new exhibition is mounted every 3-4 months.  

1936: The Year Art Deco Came To Town

 

 

The Art Deco movement started in France in the early years of the twentieth century. Art Deco is the shortened form of the name given to it by the artists who started it, Art Decoratif. It was to indicate that there was no political or religious overtones but a style that was purely decorative.

 

In 1936 East Grinstead gained a number of buildings designed in the Art Deco style. The most prominent of these were two properties in King Street; the Radio Centre and Caffyn's Garage. Separated only by a side road, together, when viewed from the London Road, they made a splendid statement. As part of the development of the area, the Whitehall Theatre and the adjacent buildings were given a new façade. A parade of shops was built to the north, one with a controversial glazed blue tiled roof, and Jubilee Court.

 

Another major building in the Art Deco style, the Queen Victoria Hospital opened in Holtye Road, also in 1936. In the same year, a new Methodist Church building was opened at the junction of the Lingfield and London Roads.

 

 

 

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A Helping Hand

This exhibition was put together by the Tools and Trades History Society and the East Grinstead Museum. Tools and the equipment of traditional historic trades are now often the only surviving evidence of what were once common activities. The Exhibition showcases a variety of different tools some of which are recognisable and some which have fallen out of every day use. The Exhibition explores the role that tools and trades have in everyday life and looks specifically at timber trades, metal trades, the work of the stone mason and all their associated tools.

 

StenningTATHS Logo

McIndoe: His Life and Works

This exhibition explored the life and pioneering work of the visionary plastic surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe. Born in Dunedin in New Zealand in 1900, McIndoe studied with the Mayo Brothers in the USA before coming to England. McIndoe was appointed the consultant surgeon to the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of war and sent to East Grinstead. Arriving at the Queen Victoria Hospital, he began working with burn victims, his 'Guinea Pigs', developing new techniques and instruments. His aim of integrating injured and disfigured airmen into the community earned East Grinstead the sobriquet of “the little town who did not stare”.

 

The Exhibition was well attended and even received a visit from McIndoe's grandchildren.McIndoeMcIndoe

 

Girlguiding East Grinstead 1910-2010

 

 

Guiding in East Grinstead has been established since 1917. Records and minute books have survived intact since this date and give us a glimpse of how Guiding has changed over the last 100 years.

We hope that through this exhibition you discovered the phenomenon that is Girlguiding.

Booklets to accompany the exhibition can be purchased from the museum at a cost of £2 each. 

 

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Sackville College 400 Years of Caring

Sackville College is a magnificent Jacobean building which enhances the mainly medieval High Street in East Grinstead. However, its true value to the town lies not within its architecture but in the care it has taken of its poorer citizens throughout the four centuries of its existence.

This exhibition followed the college's patrons and wardens who have cared for the building and its residents these past 400 years.

Booklets to accompany the exhibition can be purchased from the museum at a cost of £2 each.  

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Three Cheers for the 3 Rs

On 31st May 1869 the Rev C.W. P Crawfurd, chief subscriber to the National School called for three cheers for three Rs after presenting attendance certificates.

In this exhibition looked at the history of East Grinstead's National School and celebrated its achievements through to its present day desendents, Sackville, Imberhorne, The Meads and Blackwell.

Booklets to accompany the exhibition can be purchased from the museum at a cost of £2 each.  

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On with the Show

Celebrating Local Dramatic and Operatic Societies, Past and Present

On with the show

Fonthill:School Report

200 Years of Fonthill Lodge School

Fonthill

Steaming to East Grinstead

Bluebell Railway

Bluebell Railway

Kept in the Family

A celebration of family businesses that have been in the town over 100 years

Kept in the family