March 26 2014


Following extensive refurbishment over the past three months, the Newhaven Museum opens its door to visitors this weekend at midday on Saturday 29th March.

New exhibitions include “The Way We Lived” which includes domestic exhibits from the post-war period to give youngsters an idea how people used to live immediately after World War II. There is also a new display commemorating the start of the First World War and the important part played by Newhaven in supplying the Western Front with ammunition, food, clothing and other essential trench warfare equipment.

Said Curator Tony Helyar: “All of the work has been carried out by our volunteers. The museum has had a new coat of paint, new showcases and improved signage. The displays have all been re-organised so instead of being scattered around the museum they are now grouped together under their own categories. This will make it more enjoyable for visitors and it will make it easier for them to find the items they are interested in. All the exhibits are much easier to see thanks to the new lighting which has been installed. We are looking forward to a busy year with a lot of interest in the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War and also the 70th anniversary of the D.Day landings. ”

The maritime history, for which this museum is famous, has not been lost in the refurbishment and there is a collection of over 10,000 photographs which have been scanned and indexed to make it easier to research an illustrated history of the past. The museum will also search and print out a specific photograph on request for a small charge.

The Museum, situated at Paradise Park, Avis Road, Newhaven, will be open until the end of October on weekdays (closed Monday) from 2.00pm – 4.00pm and weekends and Bank Holidays from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

Further information can be obtained at www.newhavenhistoricalsociety.org.uk