EVER wondered about the history of Westbury? Did you know Westbury once had mills producing world class cloth, gloves that were featured in Vogue, tanneries, ironworks and even brickworks?
If you visit the town library and climb the stairs to the museum, you can trace the town’s history from Jurassic times to today – all illustrated in a colourful timeline.
The museum itself, which is free to visit, offers a wide range of reminders of the town’s past. The museum is lined with bright information panels covering all aspects of the town’s history from pubs and inns through to church and chapel.
One of the museum’s popular exhibits is the cast iron statue of Hercules which once graced the top of the engine at Bitham Mill in Alfred Street. The statue is a great example of the skill of experts on the television programme “The Repair Shop” who seamlessly repaired his iron club and turned him into Westbury’s own television star!
A special school section boasts Victorian desks where younger visitors can try on a mortar board, a dunce’s hat or just try their hand at italic writing copied from Victorian exercise books. There is a display of old toys and games too.
Many people do not realise the town also boasts what is believed to be the country’s oldest still working public swimming pool! Visitors to the museum can view historic photographs of the pool, see its still working till and even view an original swimming aid. This curious implement, comprising a long wooden pole attached to a leather loop would have been used by the then professor of swimming to teach pupils.
Historic costumes on show include a 1950’s ladies’ suit made from cloth made in the Westbury mills and a watered silk Victorian gown with a waist measurement of just 18 inches!
The museum changes its exhibitions regularly so visitors will always have something new to see from the extensive collection of local artefacts. Recent exhibitions have included a spotlight on the past residents of historic Westbury House – now the home of the museum and library but once one of the most important buildings in the town. In August there will be an exhibition featuring the replica skull of a Jurassic sea monster.
The museum has recently been hosting a series of visits from junior school classes and has visited care homes to share memories and artefacts with residents. It is also planning an oral history to capture memories from older town residents. It also holds regular historic talks and guided walks around the town. Upcoming events include a talk by Meet The Ancestors presenter Julian Richards and a guided walk around the historic inns.
History of the
Museum and Westbury Heritage Society
The museum is run by Westbury Heritage Society which has been preserving and promoting the town’s rich history from more than 30 years and it used to run the Heritage and Visitor Centre in the High Street. The museum moved to its new venue in the library in the summer of 2020. Covid scuppered plans to reopen until September 2021 when an official opening was attended by volunteers, members, councillors and local MP Dr Andrew Murrison.
Earlier this year it was decided by the Heritage Society to adopt the new name of Westbury Museum and join the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) to reflect the fresh start.
The museum is run entirely by volunteers who greet visitors and answer their questions. There are also opportunities for volunteers to help behind-the-scenes by cataloguing the collection and working on research. New volunteers are always welcome.
The museum is free to visit and is open Monday 2-6pm, Tuesday and Friday 9.30am-5pm and Saturday 9.30am-1pm.
More details can be found on www.westburyheritagesociety.org.uk or on Facebook at Old Westbury, Wiltshire.
