Barnet Museum showcases the history of Barnet District and the surrounding area from medieval times to 2011. It contains a wide range of artefacts, including period costumes and accessories, and seeks to give back to the local community through published works. Despite facing funding cuts in 2011, the museum remains open.
The Barnet Museum is one of the best known British local community museums in London. It was opened in 1938 to showcase the extensive collection of artefacts from the Barnet District and the Local History Society. The museum reveals the growth and development of the surrounding area from medieval times to 2011. Although a small museum, it holds great significance not only for many locals, but for many others in Greater London and Herfordshire as well.
The Barnet Museum opened in March 1938 in an early Georgian house on Wood Street in Chipping Barnet. Much of the museum’s artefacts focus solely on Chipping Barnet’s rich history, but also include information and exhibits about the surrounding area. This museum encompasses the areas of East and West Barnet, Arkley, Whetstone, Cockfosters, Totteridge and Hadley.
Although the area has been small and relatively quiet since 2011, Chipping Barnet used to be a busy area famous for its markets and fairs. It hosts what is known as the Great North Road, leading to many coaching inns which often hosted visitors from all over the country. As it was in a busy area many famous people often stayed in Chipping Barnet including the Royal Family, Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens. A major battle in the Wars of the Roses also took place in Barnet in 1471. Much of this has created a huge range of photographs, paintings and objects of historical interest and significance which, as of 2011, are contained in the Barnet Museum .
A wide range of items are kept in the museum. Photographs, miscellaneous items, household items, prints, paintings, general archives, maps, lace and clothing make up the bulk of the museum. There’s also a collection of period costumes and accessories that represent the area’s ever-changing fashion. The museum also contained information to help people trace their family history. It took the Barnet Museum and the Barnet District and Local History Society almost 80 years to complete the collection which is available in the museum in 2011.
Barnet Museum also seeks to give back to the local community through its published works, including books, articles and newsletters. It was proposed by Barnet Council, however, that funding be withdrawn from the museum in April 2011. A petition which spread online and around London helped keep the museum open as of September 2011.
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