The Hastings & St Leonards Museum Association was founded in 1889.The Association is believed to be the oldest such society in the country and opened the first museum in Hastings in 1892 in the Brassey Institute (now the central library).On 1st March 1905 ownership the Association’s now large collections was transferred to Hastings Borough Council. There was a civic ceremony that August attended by large crowds and many dignitaries.
In accepting the gift the Mayor said that the Town would never be satisfied that the Museum should remain stationary, but would endeavour to make it one of the chief attractions of the Borough.
In 1928 the Borough purchased John’s Place, built in 1923 in the Tudor style and the Museum and its collections moved in.
Easter Sunday, April 1st 2018, Happy Harold was registered on 28th March 1928 and first entered service in Hastings 90 years ago today as part of the tram replacement fleet. In 1959 the trolleybuses were replaced by diesel buses. Hastings' own former trolleybus' 90th 'birthday' will be celebrating at the museum. See the Trolleybus Website
HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS SOCIETY
Promoting Our Heritage and Civic Pride
Special Event at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery,
Sunday 8th July, 2 pm.
‘For Crying Out Loud’: The Story of a Town Crier
Illustrated talk by Jon Bartholomew, Hastings Town Crier.
Admission charge £5,
children aged 14 and under free if accompanied by adults
Proceeds from this event are being donated by the Hastings & St Leonards Society to provide prize money for the National Town Criers competition in Hastings Week.
(The National Town Criers competition has been held at various locations in Hastings and St. Leonards for over sixty years, and once attracted huge crowds and a great many entrants from around the country. In recent years, the Local Council has been unable to provide prize money, and the prestige and glamour of the event has suffered. Come and hear the story of our very own Town Crier, Jon Bartholomew, and help to rejuvenate one of the Town’s great heritage events.)
Forthcoming Association Events
Saturday 21st April 2 p.m.
White Rock History Walk with premier Hastings Historian STEVE PEAK.
Booking Forms jpg * pdf * plain text
ON SATURDAY 2ND JUNE 2018
This is the Royal Naval Dockyard 400th Anniversary year. Among the extra attractions is a special exhibition of the Yard’s history through art and literature.
A ticket to the Ropery is included in this trip. more >>> including forms, print out and return.
Saturday 7th July
'THE ASHBURNHAMS AND ASHBURNHAM CHURCH'
with Brion Purdey followed by Cream Tea in the Orangery more >>>
Membership forms available from John’s Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings TN34 1ET or downloaded here in 'pdf'
here as Word, here as plain text
PROGRAMME of EVENTS 2018
and booking forms
Download report (pdf) here appendix 1 here and appendix 2 here
The Hastings & St Leonards Museum Association retained an interest in the organization and control of the Museum and in accordance with the Deed of Transfer it is able to nominate 6 members to serve on the Borough’s Museums Committee.
Subscriptions are £7.00 individual; £12.00 for 2 persons at the same mailing address; £70.00 Life Membership.
Membership gives reductions to events, workshops and excursions. more >
Link to unofficial Old Town Hall Museum site. Sadly the Hastings Old Town Hall Museum is now closed
Images from the 2015 opening of the Louis Dodd Exhibition (now ended) >>more
