Collection: Athelstan Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  At the establishment of the museum, and before the adoption of a formal Collections Development Policy, a wide range of objects was taken into the collection. 1977 is the first date appearing on accession numbers. Since the museum became accredited in 2009, a more focussed policy has been pursued and decisions on accessioning are taken based on objects’ links to Malmesbury and the villages, and how they enhance the way we tell the story.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Museum holds about 4500 objects in the permanent collection. The bulk of this material relates to the social, economic and religious history of the town and surrounding area, although as described above, some of the earlier collection is somewhat random. Included in the collection are items relating to local trades and industries including Malmesbury lace, brewing and local engineering. In addition there are items pertaining to the now closed Malmesbury Branch Line as well as Malmesbury Mint coins and tokens. The collection also holds a number of photographs, prints and paintings of the town and the surrounding area. Personal and domestic items, objects connected to rural life, a collection of bicycles and costumes are owned by the Museum. In addition the collection contains a small number of fossils and geological specimens. There are a number of archaeological items in the collection including Stone Age tools, items found locally from the Roman period, medieval finds and Iron Age quern stones. A major recent acquisition is a Roman coin hoard, currently being conserved prior to display. Most items not on display are held in a new purpose built store in the museum’s new Rausing building.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2019

  Licence: CC BY-NC