(30-05-2009)

150 Years of Railway History at Halesworth

Halesworth & District Museum, located inside the railway station, has set up a new display to celebrate the opening of the station 1st June 1859. The exhibit includes railway photographs and artifacts along with a scale model of how the station originally looked.  Learn about the Southwold Railway which terminated at Halesworth, and the World War II bomb which struck the station killing the station master, his wife and their servant. There is also an open display of a Look Out man surrounded with the tools of his trade and more artifacts from the museum’s collection. The museum also has a fine working model of the stations’ moveable platforms; the actual platforms are still in place having been cosmetically restored in 1999. Thanks to efforts by Network Rail and the Friends of Halesworth Station the platforms are now easier to see as scrub and vegetation has recently been cleared.

The Museum also has a new display of late 19th century and early 20th century photographs of Halesworth shops and examples of items which were sold, along with  photographs of events, people and buildings taken in the 1960’s. An exhibit based on the names on the War Memorial can also bee seen and gives much information about those named as well as medals and photographs.

The Halesworth and District Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10.00-12.30 ,and Wednesday 2.00-4.00 between May and September . From October to April opening times are most Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00-12.30. At other times by appointment. Schools and groups by arrangement. Contact 01986 875351.