Godalming Museum

02/01/2025

Throwback Thursday -

For Throwback Thursday, we have a photographic postcard of soldiers in First World War uniform outside Barkers' Stores, Ockford Road.

There is a message on the reverse is from Mr H Jeffery, to Marsden at 104 Ockford Road. It is postmarked Aldershot, 20th February 1915. H Jeffery may have been billeted on Mrs Marsden as his message reads:

“Dear Mrs Marsden, will you please look after my Blankets and boots as I had to move in a hurry on Friday instead of Sat. I will call for them at the earliest opportunity. Hope you won't mind the PC”

The term “billeted” means to provide temporary housing for military personnel.
This can include private lodgings, barracks, or private homes.

There was a military presence in the area during both WWI and WW2, in part due to the military camp at Witley Common (known as Witley Military Camp or just Witley Camp)
Aldershot Command had three facilities established by the Canadian Army, one of which being Witley Camp, and the others being Bordon and Bramshott.

30/12/2024

Mystery Item Game!

What do you think this mystery item is? Comment your thoughts below. The answer will be revealed in next week’s Mystery Item Game!

The answer to last week’s Mystery Item Game is: Wooden braid loom and metal pins

23/12/2024

Mystery Item Game!

What do you think this mystery item is? Comment your thoughts below. The answer will be revealed in next week’s Mystery Item Game!

The answer to last week’s Mystery Item Game is: Veterinary horse's gas mask (muzzle and halter)

20/12/2024

19/12/2024

Throwback Thursday -

For todays throwback Thursday, we bring you another festive card and a fun fact.

Did you know that scenes from both 1917 and Skyfall were filmed on Hankley Common in Elstead?

19/12/2024

16/12/2024

Mystery Item Game!

What do you think this mystery item is? Comment your thoughts below. The answer will be revealed in next week’s Mystery Item Game!

The answer to last week’s Mystery Item Game is: A gas lamp shade

12/12/2024

Throwback Thursday -

Instead of our usual throwback Thursday post, we have “Christmas Greetings” from a snow covered Brighton Road.
Do you have a favourite photo of Godalming in the snow? We would love to see them!

10/12/2024

👋 have you visited our shop yet?

🎅🏻we’ve got something for everyone on your Christmas list and are open 10-4 for stress free shopping

09/12/2024

Mystery Item Game!

What do you think this mystery item is? Comment your thoughts below. The answer will be revealed in next week’s Mystery Item Game!

The answer to last week’s Mystery Item Game is: A rushlight holder!

05/12/2024

Throwback Thursday-

Did you know that the first written reference to Godalming is in the will of King Alfred the Great (written in late 880AD)? In which the manor of Godalming was bequeathed to his nephew, Ethelwold, the surviving son of Alfred’s older brother, Athelred I.

04/12/2024

Thank you to everyone who visited Santa's Grotto at the Godalming Christmas Festival on Sat, 30 Nov and posted a letter to Lapland. Your letters are all packed up ready to be posted., Thank you to Priory Antiques sponsors of Santa's Grotto at the Museum and Santa's helpers.
Godalming Theatre Group

03/12/2024

What do you think this mystery item is? Comment your thoughts below. The answer will be revealed in next week’s Mystery Item Game!

The answer to last week’s Mystery Item Game is: An eel spear

Eel spear, Kentish type. Eels lie in the mud at the bottom of streams and ditches, and often cannot be seen. The spear would be pushed down into the mud in the hope of enmeshing a fish. It had a line of ten to fifteen feet in length.

03/12/2024

🎅🏻 Let us help with your Christmas shopping!

🎁 We’re open 10-4 today, pop in!

29/11/2024

Godalming Christmas Festival, Sat 30 Nov 10-4.30pm Visit Father Christmas in his Grotto (Free of Charge) at Godalming Museum 10-3.30pm. Paddington will be at 29 Church Street at 11am. Santa's letters can be posted at the Grotto.
Full details at https://godalming-tc.gov.uk/christmas-festival/
thank you to The Caudle Trust and and Surrey & Hampshire Property Agents

28/11/2024

Throwback Thursday -

The Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Godalming is a blend of 11th - 12th century architecture, and was once, before its current additions and design, dedicated to the “Blessed Virgin”

Written by William de Wanda in 1220: “There is a chapel which is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin in a field belonging to Godalming, over towards Tuesley; here was the site of the first Church of Godalming”
The chapel at that point was reported to be seldom used, and that celebrations were only held there three times a year.
There are surviving wall paintings from around this period, dated to the 11th and 13th century within the chancel, and north and south chapels.

Stepping further back, some of evidence of the Saxon chapel that once stood in its place can be found within the church on display. These items include intricately carved Anglo Saxon stones, thought to be surviving fragments of a font.

Swipe to see how it’s changed!

Grade I listed building. Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Godalming, Historic England Listing Number: 1044546

If you’d like to know more about this fascinating church, I would like recommend A Guide to the Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by Alan Bott, which is available within our shop as well as at the church itself.

28/11/2024

Have you seen these fantastic calendars from ?

Exclusively available from the Museum Shop, they are £12.99 and make a fab Christmas present 🎁

26/11/2024

Isn’t she lovely?✨

We’re open from 10-4 today whether you’d like to see our latest exhibition, sit with a coffee in the garden or browse our range of Christmas decorations 🙂