A town museum has found a new home after it was forced to shut during the pandemic.

Chesham Museum announced it has finally found a new home in the heart of the town.  

The beloved museum was forced to move out of the high street in 2017 and put up short-term displays only around the town after rental prices skyrocketed and changes to its landlord.

When the pandemic hit, the museum had no choice but to close because it could no longer carry out fundraising and activities for the public.

Bucks Free Press: The museum relies on its fantastic volunteersThe museum relies on its fantastic volunteers (Image: Chesham Museum)

Now the trustees have revealed the new home will be in part of the Lowndes Room located upstairs in the Town Hall.

Chesham Town councillor Jane McBean said: “Like many residents I miss having Chesham Museum on our High Street. That is why I am delighted that the Town Council has an opportunity to support them with a dedicated space in the Town Hall. Their commitment to preserving and documenting the rich history of our wonderful town is invaluable and this will ensure that they have an opportunity to share it with our residents and visitors, and I look forward to seeing how the next chapter in their journey evolves.”

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The new museum is expected to open to visitors in the autumn but the exact date is yet to be revealed. 

The museum chair Peter Squire said renting the space in the Town Hall is a "springboard to a full-scale museum in Chesham." 

Bucks Free Press: A photograph from the museum collection showing the Carlton ladies in 1918A photograph from the museum collection showing the Carlton ladies in 1918 (Image: Chesham Museum)

He believed a full-scale museum was "achievable given our volunteers' enthusiasm and your support." 

Having a new home means Chesham Museum can now continue to develop its learning programme, offering discovery boxes and sessions for schools and reminiscence for older residents. 

A new public events and activities programme will launch in 2024. 

Residents and community groups are asked to share their ideas about the development of the new displays. They can explore objects from the collection and share their own stories of Chesham’s history, which will be used to create new, permanent displays next summer. 

The museum is also looking for more people to join as volunteers to help with a range of activities, including opening the new museum, talking to people about their ideas, support the programme delivery and help process donations and prepare objects. 
 

Image inset of Chesham Town Hall courtesy of Richard Kelly via Wikimedia Commons