Rushden Research Group: Rushden Museum

Rushden Museum


The new entrance to the Museum	Rushden Hall

Rushden Museum was the dream of Susan Hollowell, who started a group in 1999 to find suitable premises in the town for a Museum. Susan gathered a few like-minded people to work towards this goal, and several fundraising events were held. Sadly, Susan died in 2002 and the project was shelved for a couple of years, but then Sarah and Simon Peacock (Susan's daughter and grandson) took up the reigns and with a small team they realised Susan's dream. The Museum opened on 6th May 2006, on the site of the old stable block behind Rushden Hall, and has steadily grown.

In the autumn of 2008 the decision to expand was taken and after much hard work by volunteers, it was ready for the new season.

(left) John, Jim, Clive and Simonputting up
some exhibition boards, near the new entrance.

	(left) Sarah Peacock welcomes the Friends of Rushden Museum to the opening of the extension. (right) Unveiling the plaque to Susan Hollowell who founded the Museum
Pictured: (l-r) Eric Fowell (President), David Jenney (Mayor's Consort), Barbara Jenney (Mayor) and Sarah.		Simon Peacock watches as his mother and the mayor unveil the plaque to his grandmother.

On 1st May 2009 the "Hearts & Soles" project installed an IT Kiosk there. On May 8th 2009 a plaque was unveiled in the Museum to commemorate Susan who sowed the seed from which the Museum has grown.


Inside the extended Museum - 8th May 2009

To read more about Susan - see Housemartins