Welcome to Saxmundham Museum

2020

It's been a crazy time for us all but thank you to all who were able to visit, following the 'rules', in 2020.

Lockdown Memories

Saxmundham Museum is asking everyone in the town to share their memories of the coronavirus lockdown so it can compile an archive for future generations.

“This is one of the most extraordinary years any of us will ever know” says Richard Crisp. “It’s important to make a record of what lockdown was really like in Saxmundham and the surrounding villages. This will become an invaluable archive for future generations.”

Please share your memories of this year and how the pandemic has affected you, your family, neighbours and friends. You can write down your lockdown memories on paper or e-mail. We welcome photos that you may have taken during lockdown, perhaps you had a birthday or shared food and support with neighbours.

You can send anything you would like to be included to Saxmundham Museum, 49 High St, Saxmundham IP17 1AJ or e-mail info@saxmundhammuseum.org.uk

Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears

Britten Pears Arts has an extensive archive available to view at the Red House and also online.

They have kindly allowed us access to their collection, particularly concerning the invoices and receipts from Saxmundham businesses.

This gives us an insight into how many local businesses provided services to Britten and Pears but also most are no longer trading.

Two that are still here include H. G. Crisp and Flick & son, although both now under different ownership.

One particular story that comes out concerns Benjamin Britten's ownership of a 1957 Jensen interceptor covertable. Car dealers Smith and Wesby undertook several works on the car to fix rain water ingress and a petrol leak. By 1960 Britten had obviously grown tired of all the repair work and traded-in the Jensen for a Mercedes instead!

Who remembers the local vets as "Downie & Fishwick", later to become "Fishwick, Hill and Button"?

We have a new display which you can preview here.

About the Museum

We are in the heart of rural Suffolk, recording and preserving the history of Saxmundham, Kelsale-cum-Carlton and Benhall.

The Museum was opened in 2004 by special guest Peter Purves.

Strada Cars

Launched at the 1974 Car Show, the company folded in 1975 but what's the story behind Saxmundham's very own sports car manufacturer?

Come and find out.

Jenny Toombs

Jennifer (Jenny) Toombs was an internationally acclaimed artist, famous for her hand-drawn stamps and first-day covers which were issued in over 50 countries.

She lived in Benhall for many years but suddenly and peacefully passed away at home on April 2, 2018.

We have a tribute to this much loved and missed lady.

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