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In connection with dismantling displays for Harpenden Local History Day the Museum is closed now until 27 April.
Over 1,200 were at the Local History Day; the contributors, exhibitors, marshals, etc. were joined by over 1,100 members of the public at the Eric Morecambe Centre, making the event a great day for Harpenden and district. The venue was buzzing!
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Top: The High Sheriff cutting the ribbon at the Museum doorway.
Bottom: Laura Bull, receiving a certificate of free membership for being our 500th visitor on the day, with Cllr Fiona Gaskell, Mayor of Harpenden and Roger Butterworth, Chairman.
Over 1,200 were at the Local History Day at the Eric Morecambe Centre; the contributors, exhibitors, marshals, etc. were joined by over 1,100 members of the public, making the event a great day for Harpenden and district. The venue was rocking!
We heartily thank the High Sheriff, the Mayor and all contributors, including those from other organisations, and the children who entered our competition, plus all marshals and other volunteers, together with the staff of EMC, who shared in the excitement, all of whom made a vital contribution to the overwhelming success of the day. Not only was the total number, 1,200, pleasingly surprising, but the vitality of those attending throughout the four hours was tremendous. And thank you to all those who came; your interest and excitement was itself a tremendous for the team.
We put on this event to relaunch the Society (now we have our museum), to educate the public on our local history and to make a contribution to the cultural life of Harpenden. The reaction of those who attended and informal feedback suggest that we succeed! We also aimed to significantly increase membership, which was fulfilled – on Saturday alone our membership increased by 50%. That’s potentially £1,100 of additional membership income per year.
We are debating how best to enable those who were not able to study the study the maps and photos at length because of the crowd and those who were unable to get in to hear the talks to experience what they missed.
Why not participate in our activities and volunteer for the museum rota or other vacant roles in running the Society. The Local History Day was a beginning, as a platform for the future, not an end in itself.
If you enjoyed the event, why not join the Society: Join here. Special offer at the Local History Day of membership to end 2025 (20 months) at same rate as 12 months’ membership will be honoured until 30 April! Museum next open Saturday 27 April 11am-3pm.
Roger Butterworth
Chairman
chairman@harpenden-history.org.uk
07410 133 555
Explore Harpenden’s history from pre-historic to the present times, through pages on places, buildings, people and a wide range of topics – and help us fill the many gaps with your memories or by researching our archives.
Harpenden Museum, on the ground floor of the Eric Morecambe Centre, is now open 11am to 3pm every Saturday and most Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are building up our rota of volunteers. Click here to see the days we expect to be open.
