East Grinstead Museum

18/03/2025

Today we are looking back at the extraordinary life of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway who passed away yesterday, aged 105. Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway was the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, having joined the RAF in 1938. He flew Hawker Hurricanes during WWII and survived being shot down four times. A truly remarkable man, his life is captured so eloquently in words on the RAF website: https://raf.mod.uk/news/articles/the-last-surviving-battle-of-britain-pilot-john-paddy-hemingway-dfc-passes-away/

John "Paddy" Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the iconic Battle of Britain, passed away peacefully on 17 March 2025 at the age of 105. Paddy Hemingway, one of a number known as ‘the Few’ and

08/03/2025

At the museum today, we're thinking in particular of all the wonderful nurses who have worked at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust over the years. Thank you all!

07/03/2025

It's the first Friday of the month (already!) so, here at East Grinstead Museum, our volunteers will be giving a free guided tour of the displays - starting with a short history of the town and then telling the story of pioneer plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club.

There's no need to book and the tour starts at 11 am!

East Grinstead Business Association East Grinstead Town Council

16/02/2025

Our half-term activity days are back!

Here is the full list of dates for the whole year and we will start this coming Tuesday, 18 February, with 'Perfect Pets'! Suitable for 4 - 10 year olds.

Intrigued? There's no need to book, just come along to the museum in Cantelupe Road and enjoy our fantastic activity - we're looking forward to seeing you there!

East Grinstead Town Council East Court Live East Grinstead Courier East Grinstead Business Association

19/12/2024

🎄✨ Looking for last-minute Christmas gifts?🎁

Visit the Museum this Thursday, Friday or Saturday, we are open from 10am to 4pm! 🕙🕓

Our shop is stocked with unique and town-branded items that make perfect presents for your loved one

🎁Don't miss out on these special finds!🧡

See you at the Museum, you’ll find us in Cantelupe Road! 🏛️

24/10/2024

Sadly, the museum will be closed on Friday 25th October due to the funeral of Bob Marchant, a long standing trustee.

We will be open again as usual on Saturday 26th October.

23/10/2024

Our next Children’s Activity Day is all about travelling around time, and discovering many different historical periods from Ancient Egypt to Medieval England.

It's on Tuesday 29th October between 10:30am and 3pm at the Museum.

The activities are aimed at children between 4 and 10.

Come for a short time or stay all day. Tickets are just £3.50 per child.

23/09/2024

Sadly, we learnt last week that Bob Marchant, the former Secretary of the Guinea Pig Club, and long time supporter and Trustee of the Museum, passed away in his sleep.

Bob’s tireless energy, drive, and deep care for the Guinea Pigs and their story was clear to all, and his legacy lives on in a multitude of works, not least the Rebuilding Bodies and Souls exhibition at the Museum.

Some further information on the incredible life of Bob can be found here:

https://www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk/robert-marchant-1935-2024

19/09/2024

Our next talk is coming up soon, and it's about one of the more famous Guinea Pigs.

Geoffrey Page was one of the most remarkable pilots of the Second World War. Shot down during the Battle of Britain, his hands and face were badly burned. Over two years he endured fifteen complex operations under the ground-breaking care of the legendary surgeon, Archibald McIndoe at the Queen Victoria Hospital. He was one of the founding members of the Guinea Pig Club.

Despite his horrific injuries Page returned to flying, taking part in action in North Africa and over France.

This talk is by John Willis, based on his new book all about Page and his life.

The talk is on Thursday 3rd October at 7:00pm at the Museum.

Tickets are £6.50.

Tickets can be ordered from Eventbrite, please use the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1000009444167

13/09/2024

It's today, and what better way to celebrate than with tis image of T.D. Dukes Chocolate shop on the High Street, taken in 1905?

(clearly, the answer is eating actual chocolate, but that's slightly out of our control...)

12/09/2024

It's today, celebrating all things related to gyms and working out. Clearly, many people's first experiences of a gym are the ones at a school - like this one from the prospectus for St Agnes School.

Hats off to the girl on the left who is holding her position halfway up a rope!

11/09/2024

Our latest exhibition "Tales from 1944" is now open!

In recognition of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 1944, “Tales from 1944” tells the stories of six members of the Guinea Pig Club who received their injuries during 1944.

Although no members of the Club were directly involved in the D-Day Landings, around 123 members were injured during 1944.

This exhibition also tells the stories of how the different Guinea Pigs fared in their post war lives, particularly how they faced the challenges of civilian life following their discharge from the Air Force.

The Exhibition runs until 15th December 2024, and the Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

09/09/2024

It's and we wanted to celebrate with this image of some children with a teddy bear (and by the looks of it, an exceptionally tasty toy train?).

The photo is undated but it's connected with a group of photos related to the East Grinstead Evening Institute.

09/09/2024

Town Tour - Saturday 14th September, 10am

Despite the recent challenging weather, why not come and learn about your local high street? Join our local expert as she takes you on a tour around East Grinstead’s medieval heart from St Swithuns Church to Sackville College.

The tour will include a 30 minute tour of the inside of St Swithuns, given by a member of the St Swithuns Restoration Trust.

The tour will start and finish at the Museum and tickets are £6.50 per person, buyable on the day.

Please note that it will depart sharply from the museum at 10:00am in order to visit St Swithuns Church.

06/09/2024

We recently came across this photograph of a classroom in the Hobbs Barracks School
It appears to show a geography lesson (as well as a previous history one with a very specific theme!).

It was taken by the East Grinstead Observer in November 1972.

But we wanted to ask: does anyone remember the school at the barracks? Was it there for a specific reason?