Fordingbridge Museum – its origins

Fordingbridge Museum – its origins

By Julian Hewitt

Fordingbridge Museum has its origins in the private collection of local builder and undertaker John Shering.

John’s 12 year old daughter Mary had asked him what a gin trap was and, horrified by her lack of knowledge about such things, he started to collect items to teach her about her heritage. The collection soon outgrew his home and he had to house it in a special building in his builder’s yard off Church Street. In 2000 he and his brother Richard donated the collection to the town and so Fordingbridge Museum as we know it today was born.

The museum usually attracts about 4,000 to 5,000 visitors a year, not only from the British Isles but from countries all around the world. This is of considerable financial benefit to the whole community. The museum’s popularity is reflected in our visitors book comments. Last year these included, “Fordingbridge should be very proud of this museum”, “A fascinating museum”, “Oh how I wish my town was so blessed.” There were frequent comments calling the museum “a little gem”.

Museums were originally places of contemplation or philosophical discussion. It was only in the 17th century that the term museum was used to describe a collection of curiosities that were owned by private individuals. One such person was Elias Ashmole who donated his collection to Oxford University. The Ashmolean Museum was opened to the public in 1683 and is generally acknowledged to be the first museum in the sense we know it today. It was intended, “not only for the inspection and entertainment of the learned and curious but for the general use of and benefit of the public”.

There was a rapid expansion in museums in the 19th century. This reflected the increase in civic pride and, later in the century, the promotion of free education. Public access was increased by the development of gas and electric lighting, which enabled the working classes to visit in the evenings. During the 20th century, museums were increasingly seen as, not just centres of excellence but also as something that could make a positive contribution to the local economy, making a good return on any public money invested in them.

Housed in a picturesque old granary, Fordingbridge Museum is a major tourist attraction for the town and a valuable resource for local people. The artefacts are mainly Victorian and reflect the history of Fordingbridge and surrounding villages.

The museum has a large collection of photographs and documents that are available to the public or researchers. We can arrange historical tours of Fordingbridge, talks on various topics and visits by schools and other organisations.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and financed by visitor donations and fundraising. If you would like to join the Friends of the Museum or are willing to give some time as a volunteer please call 01425 657850.

Column by Fordingbridge Museum is sponsored by Adrian Dowding