About Us

Ashford Borough Museum Society

Ashford Museum is operated by the Ashford Borough Museum Society, a registered charity comprised entirely of volunteers. The Museum is managed by a Committee overseen by Trustees. The Committee and Trustees are elected by and report to members at an Annual General Meeting.

Go to the Support Us page for information on becoming a member of Ashford Borough Museum Society.

Building

The building in which the Museum is housed was erected and endowed by Sir Norton Knatchbull of Mersham-le-Hatch in 1635 and continued as the Ashford Grammar School, apart for an interval of ten years, until a new school was opened in 1881.

It has since been restored with many of the original features of a 17th Century schoolroom remaining, including the old master’s and usher’s seats, the niches in the Walls for books and the Wainscoting carved with graffiti of former pupils.

Museum building

History of museum

The Museum started with talks by local interested parties towards the late 1980’s.

Charles Oliver arranged a meeting which included the local archaeological society to see if there was enough interest. A small show of mostly photographs was arranged in the Wilks Hall and attracted over 500 visitors during the weekend.

The Wilks Hall became available soon after when the Museum opened under Charles’ chairmanship.

President

Ashford Borough Museum Society is pleased to have Sir George Jessel Bt DL as its President.

Born in Ashford, Sir George held a Short Service Commission with the 15th/19th Hussars, is a Partner in a fully diversified family estate. Past High Sheriff 2017/2018. Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, an Ambassador for the Chatham Historic Dockyard, a Kent Ambassador, a Patron of the Turner Contemporary, a Life President of the Kent County Agricultural Society and a Fund Holder for the Kent Community Foundation. 

Patrons

The Museum has relied on donations made in the Museum and Membership Subscriptions for the funding of day to day running. Although our visitors continue to be generous in their donations, these sources are no longer sufficient to meet increasing running costs. We are therefore grateful to individuals and commercial organisations that provide additional funding.

Individual patrons

Mrs. C Drury

Corporate patrons

Ashford Designer Outlet

Accreditation

Ashford Museum is accredited by the Arts Council for England.

The Accreditation Scheme sets out nationally-agreed standards, which inspire the confidence of the public and funding and governing bodies. It enables museums to assess their current performance, as well as supporting them to plan and develop their services.

Wheels of Time

Ashford Museum is a founding partner in Wheels of Time, a badge collecting scheme encouraging the exploration of 53 Kent museums and heritage sites and is now a member of the Wheels of Time E-badge scheme.  Read more …

Children’s University

Ashford Museum is an approved “Public Learning Destination” for Children’s University™.  Read more …

Ashford Museum On-line Resources

Ashford’s Heritage

Ashford Museum has created a website to provide information about Ashford’s historical buildings and other aspects of Ashford’s Heritage. It includes an online version of the Ashford Town Centre Heritage Trail.

The site can be found at heritage.ashfordmuseum.org.uk/

You can now try our Heritage Trail Quiz, a Wheels of Time E-badge activity.