The Museum and Heritage Centre
Chard Museum is a registered charity (No. 270186) set up in 1970. It is managed by a group of Trustees who, like all the workers involved with the Museum, are unpaid volunteers.
First registered under the Museums and Galleries Registration Scheme in 1990, it was awarded full Accreditation in April, 2006, one of the first volunteer-run museums in the South West to receive this recognition.
The Museum & Heritage Centre exhibitions have been expanded and improved steadily over the years and contain several collections of national importance including those of John Stringfellow (1799-1883), an early pioneer of powered flight, and James Gillingham (1839-1924) who was an important maker of artificial limbs.
First registered under the Museums and Galleries Registration Scheme in 1990, it was awarded full Accreditation in April, 2006, one of the first volunteer-run museums in the South West to receive this recognition.
The Museum & Heritage Centre exhibitions have been expanded and improved steadily over the years and contain several collections of national importance including those of John Stringfellow (1799-1883), an early pioneer of powered flight, and James Gillingham (1839-1924) who was an important maker of artificial limbs.
Events in 2013:
Museums at Night 16th to 18th May 2013 with Murder Mystery by Chard Amateur Theatrical Society on 17th May at 7.30pm.
June 22nd An evening wine tasting for fun with Ken and Ann Courtney.
July 10th & 11th Photo Exhibition at Chard Guildhall.
July 27th Wambrook Flower Show stand.
Heritage Open Days 13th to 15th September 2013.
June 22nd An evening wine tasting for fun with Ken and Ann Courtney.
July 10th & 11th Photo Exhibition at Chard Guildhall.
July 27th Wambrook Flower Show stand.
Heritage Open Days 13th to 15th September 2013.
Volunteering
The museum trustees are keen to meet potential volunteers who wish to help run the museum. The trustees seek to match skills with the museum's needs. Why not contact us if you have a few hours to spare?
For information on accommodation and attractions in Somerset see:
Somerset Routes;
DAY out WITH the KIDS;
Visit Somerset;
Complete Somerset;
Somerset Holiday Cottages;
Discover South Somerset.
Somerset Routes;
DAY out WITH the KIDS;
Visit Somerset;
Complete Somerset;
Somerset Holiday Cottages;
Discover South Somerset.
The Museum and Heritage Centre is now open.
Chard Museum and Heritage Centre is open from Monday 25th March 2013 until Saturday 2nd November 2013. It is open from 10.30 to 4.30, Monday to Friday and from 10.30 to 1.00 on Saturday. [Contact us for admission out of hours when a minimum charge will apply.] Admission is £3 for adults with free entry for accompanied children. Discount vouchers are available in Chard Tourist Information Centre and in the leaflet 'SOMERSET- Things to see & do' 2013 edition.
New Displays
The main new displays in 2013 feature archive photographs, model aircraft and heritage models made by John Courtney, an extensive cigarette box collection (on loan from Derek Page), Donyatt pottery, Chard Carnival costumes and lots more . The carnival costumes have been used over a period of 35 years on several local circuits on both floats and by walking entries. They have become more impressive and elaborate in that time. The display is by courtesy of Doreen Toms.
Information for Schools
The Museum is always pleased to receive visits from schools and teachers are welcome to make a free visit beforehand to look around the Museum. For details phone the Custodian on 01460 65091 or email: info@chardmuseum.co.uk
The Museum also has Resource Boxes on World War II, The Victorians and the local history of Chard which can be loaned to local schools. For more information please contact the chairman via the 'Contact Us' button.
The Museum also has Resource Boxes on World War II, The Victorians and the local history of Chard which can be loaned to local schools. For more information please contact the chairman via the 'Contact Us' button.