2024 marks Royston Museum’s 40th year in the Congregational Church Sunday School.
Royston Museum, April 1984
Royston & District Museum and Art Gallery first opened its doors on 28 April 1984. The museum was the result of a lot of hard work by members of the Royston and District Local History Society. Set up in 1965, the Society’s purpose was to establish a museum for Royston and the surrounding area.
Society members began to collect items of local historical significance which were first displayed in several exhibitions ‘This Was Royston’. These exhibitions were organised by two founding members of the Society, Peter Ketteringham and Eric Mynott.
‘It is the small everyday things that make history in the small places.’
‘This Was Royston’ exhibition leaflet.
The first museum was opened in June 1976 in two rooms at Royston Town Hall. Only opened on Saturdays, the museum was manned by volunteers from the History Society with Peter Ketteringham as honorary keeper. In November 1979, the museum moved to different rooms within the Town Hall and the search for a more permanent space began.
In 1983 the Congregational Church Sunday School building was offered to Royston Town Council as a potential museum location. A team of volunteers from the History Society began fitting out the museum and appointed a curator, John Roles. On 28 April 1984, the Mayor of Royston, Councillor Judy Cresswell officially opened the museum.
The museum soon began holding children’s activities and temporary exhibitions, including a successful calligraphy display, welcoming over 1000 visitors in its first month.
Mayor Judy Cresswell opening Royston Museum
Today
The museum has undergone significant changes over the past few years, including a name change to Royston Museum. A renovation of the main gallery began in early 2022, revealing the original wooden floor, updated displays and a brighter feel. Further building work in late 2023 created community and research rooms. The museum team is working hard to create an accessible, fun exhibition space along with a programme of events and kids activities.
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