Amersham Museum Highlights

New for 2010 - a video presentation of photographs of Amersham highlighting the contrasts between old and new, pretty and practical, natural and man-made features in the Old Town and Amersham on the Hill.

Amersham through the Ages - a timeline highlighting important events in Amersham's development.

The Fair and Market - In 1200, a Charter was given by King John granting the right to hold an annual Fair and Market, two essential activities for a medieval town. The annual Charter Fair is still held in Amersham High Street on the 19th and 20th of September each year.

Medieval Floor Tiles - A number of 14th century glazed floor tiles made in the village of Penn, close to Amersham have been found locally. This type of tile was used in royal palaces and churches and some can still be found in Windsor Castle.

The Amersham Martyrs - In the early 16th century a number of Amersham men and one woman were burnt at the stake for their religious beliefs, which included their practice of reading aloud from a Bible translated into English.

Local Industries - William Weller started brewing beer in the Amersham Brewery in the 1760s. The company grew, acquiring many public houses before they finally closed in 1929. They were once the town's largest employer. The brewery buildings were used from 1946 to 1985 by Goya to manufacture toiletries. In the 1980s the main buildings were converted and some demolished and rebuilt as offices.

Chairmakers, Wheelwrights and Blacksmiths - The museum has a large display of tools and information about local families involved with these essential rural trades.

Lacemaking and Straw Plait - Two cottage industries that helped to supplement the family income of low paid agricultural labourers by offering work to women and children. Black lace became a speciality of the town, popular during Victorian times whilst fine straw plait was taken to workshops in Luton for making into hats.

Amersham Buildings - from timber-framed to modernist are a feature of the town.

Shardeloes - Home of the Tyrwhitt-Drake family for nearly 400 years, the history of the manor of Shardeloes can be traced back to the 14th century. The new house built between 1758 and 1766 was originally designed by Stiff Leadbetter with later features and interior decoration by Robert Adam. Humphrey Repton prepared one of his red books for the redesign of the garden, although it is uncertain if his ideas were carried out.

Workhouse and Hospital - Amersham's "new" workhouse, designed by George Gilbert Scott, was built in 1839 to comply with the Poor Law of 1834. From the Second World War to 2001 the building was part of Amersham General Hospital. It has since been converted into flats.

George Ward - local photographer. The museum has a large photographic archive of showing the town and its residents from 1880 - 1930 taken by George Ward. Contact us to order prints.

The Herb Garden - The museum's garden leading down to the River Misbourne is planted with traditional plants used as culinary and medicinal herbs. Find out more about the uses of herbs and enjoy tea or coffee in these peaceful surroundings.