Rushden Research Group: Wollaston Museum

Wollaston Museum

News Echo, Thursday March 25th 1976, transcribed by Kay Collins

Museum nearer realisation
The idea of a museum at Wollaston came nearer to materialising on Monday when a council committee agreed to grant £100 towards the project.

Wellingborough Council’s policy and resources committee were told that the Wollaston Society propose to turn the disused Congregational Chapel in the village into a museum.

They estimate the cost at £6,000 plus £250 a year to maintain and run it.

The committee were told that the Society have raised £1,100 and Chief Finance Officer, Mr Brian Veal, recommended a grant of £100.

The committee agreed to do this.

The Chapel was donated to the Society in 1974, and they opened their Museum in 1979. Close by is an 18C cottage which was in a poor state and due for demolition. The Society also purchased this property and, with the aid of Heritage Lottery Funds, in 2004 it was fully refurbished.

The cottage The Chapel houses the main mueum artefacts, with "Curiosity Cottage", now furnished as an early 20C cottage, used for education as well as part of the museum. An Archive Room has been established for care and preservation of historical documents and photographs.

Both buildings stand next to Beacon Hill, a 12th century Norman Motte. Under the care of English Heritage, this is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Currently opens on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from April to September 2.30 to 4.30, or by prior arrangement. [2011]

Return to Wollaston Index