The Museum comprises a collection of 3 adjoining buildings.
The main exhibition space facing Oxford Street at street level and was built as a boy's school hall (The Whitstable Commercial Accademy) opened 1861. In 1881 the hall was purchased for use as the local HQ of the Ancient Order of Forester's Friendly Society until leasing it in 1894 to the British legion. It was opened as a museum in 1985 by Canterbury City Council and has been a museum ever since. The hall was extended at ground level to form an adjoining gallery soon after this.
Following the prospect of closure in 2016 the Museum was contracted to the community to be run as a charitable trust by local volunteers.
Also facing Oxford Street at ground level is our Grade 2 listed shop with the museum's archive and research library above. Leading off the hall is a courtyard garden and in addition a seperate open yard sandwiched between the shop and the hall for large exhibits.
The museum's collection is fairly concentrated and children find its scale friendly and not too daunting.
Among the many exhibits the massive steam locomotive “The Invicta” dating from 1830 is likely to be the first time a child has seen such a magnificent coal powered machine close up and tangible.
Children will learn the history of underwater salvage and diving, with Whitstable divers being famed around the world and they will find that the first diving helmet ever made, was made in Whitstable by a local man.
Children can learn what it used to be like at school to write on slate tablets or hunt amongst the sand for fosils and ancient artifacts. As well as being able to dress up in Victorian costume they can engage in an eye spy game and search out objects of historical interest to win a modest prize.
Special visits are arranged for schools and clubs etc, at which the children will learn of the towns history through conducted talks and featured artifacts.
Special free open days are regularly arranged for parents and children at which hands-on heritage games and displays are made available for them to engage with through direct participation.
Historic Periods
Opening Times
Thursday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm
School holidays Wednesday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm
Bank Holidays 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Cost
Adults £ 3.00
Over 60's £ 2.00
Students £ 1.00
Children under 18 years Free (under 13 years must be accompanied by an adult).
Local residents (CT1 to CT6) Free
More information
Telephone:01227 264742
Website: http://www.whitstablemuseum.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhitstableMuseumCommunityGroup
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whitsmuseum
Facilities
Address
Forester's Hall
5A Oxford Street
Whitstable
Kent
CT5 1DB