ANNOUNCEMENT: Winter opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm. Museum closed Monday and Tuesday.
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Founders Day
Date: 19/04/2026
Founders Day
Madge and Henry Jackson, our founders, first opened the Museum - then known as The Old Kiln Museum - in April 1973, when admission was just 10p for children and 20p for adults. To honour their vision and celebrate our remarkable heritage, we are proud to hold Founders Day as an annual event once again.
On this special day, entry fees are once again 10p for children and 20p for adults (cash only), just as they were in 1973. Our staff and volunteers will be going all out to share the story of our Museum - a beautiful ode to the English eccentric - with visitors old and new.
Founders Day promises to be a truly memorable day out. Some of the volunteers who were here at the original opening will be joining us, ready to share their memories and stories about how this wonderful place came to be.
Our archive team will be displaying a selection of rare and delicate objects in the newly refurbished village hall, and visitors can enjoy a nostalgic trailer ride behind a steam traction engine around the Museum grounds. Volunteers of the museum will also have many machines, engines and demonstrations running throughout the day.
Bring the whole family for a relaxed day of discovery - wander, explore, and soak up the atmosphere. You’re welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in our covered picnic area or find a shady spot among the trees.
The Market Garden Café will also be serving a wide range of hot and cold food and drinks as well as sweet treats.