Haddenham Museum

Haddenham Museum Buckinghamshire village museum which charts the changes in village life and the people who live here

Peter Aldington, OBESad news of the death of Peter Aldington, local resident and acclaimed architect, whose house and ga...
21/05/2026

Peter Aldington, OBE
Sad news of the death of Peter Aldington, local resident and acclaimed architect, whose house and garden at Turn End were granted Grade II* status. The way in which the house is situated within the garden, retaining existing mature trees, has attracted admiration from architects and garden designers around the world. He had just celebrated his 93rd birthday. He is survived by Margaret and their two daughters.
The Museum has a copy of a copiously illustrated publication ‘A garden & three houses’, which tells the story of the design and construction of the Turn End houses. The book may be consulted in the Museum.

Object of the MonthThis malt shovel was used in the brewery which was part of the farmstead at 25 High Street. At one ti...
13/05/2026

Object of the Month
This malt shovel was used in the brewery which was part of the farmstead at 25 High Street. At one time there were three breweries in the village. The shovel was used to turn the malt during the brewing process. There are signs of woodworm attack, which has been treated.
It is loaned by Alan Rose, who has written an evocative account of life at this farmstead in the latest issue of the Haddenham Chronicles – Number 23 (on sale at the Museum now).

Hot off the pressThe latest edition of The Haddenham Chronicles (Number 23) was ready for sale at the May Day Celebratio...
04/05/2026

Hot off the press
The latest edition of The Haddenham Chronicles (Number 23) was ready for sale at the May Day Celebrations on Saturday, together with a revised index for the whole set. This issue has a wide variety of topics and some excellent photographs. The price is £3 for members and £4 for non-members. The index is £2.
You can purchase these at the Museum, which is open on Tuesdays between 10 and 12 am and on Sundays between 2pm and 4.30pm. Do call in and purchase your copy.

May Day CelebrationsCome and join us on Church End green on Saturday 2nd May in the morning where Haddenham Museum will ...
24/04/2026

May Day Celebrations
Come and join us on Church End green on Saturday 2nd May in the morning where Haddenham Museum will have a stand as part of the May Day festivities. Copies of the latest issue of the Haddenham Chronicles will be available for purchase. Number 23 is full of interesting articles, including one about a farmstead right on the High Street and another about Scotsgrove Mill. It costs £3 to members and £4 to non-members.
The procession is expected to leave the village hall around 10.30 and arrive at the green around 11.00. The school children will perform their traditional maypole dancing.

(The May Day photo is from 2008).

Object of the MonthThese roller skates represent the popularity of roller skating in Haddenham during the  1950s, with t...
13/04/2026

Object of the Month
These roller skates represent the popularity of roller skating in Haddenham during the 1950s, with the formation of the Elm Park Skating Club. The importance of the club was recognised in the 1960s when the design of the new village hall included an extra bay, maple wood flooring and handrails. Who remembers skating there in the 1960s?
For more information see Haddenham Chronicles Number 15.

Object of the monthVisitors to the Museum often recognise items which their parents and grandparents used on a regular b...
20/03/2026

Object of the month
Visitors to the Museum often recognise items which their parents and grandparents used on a regular basis but which have now fallen into disuse. The Reckitts Blue Bag is a laundry product used to whiten fabrics. The bag was stirred into the final rinse water to counteract yellowing in white materials. The ingredients were synthetic ultramarine and baking soda. Reckitt & Sons introduced the Blue Bag in the 1850s and it was still in use in the 1950s.

Slideshow Friday 27th MarchMichael Whitney will give another of his splendid slideshows of old Haddenham at the Methodis...
26/02/2026

Slideshow Friday 27th March
Michael Whitney will give another of his splendid slideshows of old Haddenham at the Methodist Church on Friday 27 March starting at 7.30 p.m. £3 in cash at the door please. We hope that some of the recent ‘incomers’ to the village will be able to attend and learn about the peculiarities of Haddenham.
Our photograph today dates to 1988, when an exhibition of memorabilia of village life was held in the Village Hall. It predates the establishment of the Museum. A young Michael Whitney can be seen on the left of the group of Morris men. Can you identify any of the other participants?

Object of the monthThis stoneware bed warmer is the successor to last month’s copper warming pan. Filled with hot water ...
16/02/2026

Object of the month
This stoneware bed warmer is the successor to last month’s copper warming pan. Filled with hot water and sealed with a cork it would warm the bed. If pushed to the foot of the bed and perhaps wrapped in an old towel, it would keep one’s feet cozy during the night. The precursor of the modern rubber hot water bottle.
This item was also donated by Michael Whitney.

Object of the MonthThis elegant precursor to the hot water bottle was used to warm beds. Hot coals were placed inside th...
20/01/2026

Object of the Month
This elegant precursor to the hot water bottle was used to warm beds. Hot coals were placed inside the pan and it was slipped between the sheets. I do wonder where you put the warming pan before you got into bed. It was not something you could cuddle up with like a hot water bottle. This copper pan has a floral pattern engraved on it and it was donated by Michael Whitney.

The plough from Haddenham Museum at Dinton Church ready for the service tomorrow - Plough Sunday.Photo by David Pickup.
10/01/2026

The plough from Haddenham Museum at Dinton Church ready for the service tomorrow - Plough Sunday.
Photo by David Pickup.

Address

The Old Schoolroom, Methodist Church, High Street
High Street
HP178ES

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 12pm
Sunday 2pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441844291269

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Haddenham Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Haddenham Museum:

Share

Category