Curtis Museum
Curtis Museum
One of the finest local history collections in Hampshire, exploring 100 million years of history Displays include prehistoric tools, Roman pottery reconstruction, Saxon burials, the Battle of Alton 1643, the notorious tale of Sweet Fanny Adams and Hop picking and brewing.
Jane Austen Trail at the Curtis Museum
The ground floor of the Museum gives the story of Alton before Jane, her mother and sister moved to the nearby village of Chawton but it explains why the town became the place she knew.
The displays on the first floor start with aspects of life in the early 1800s which coincide with the Austens’ arrival here in the summer of 1809. This leaflet attempts to highlight items which have a direct relevance to her life and time.
Coaching
The milestone plate showing London 48 miles and Winchester 16 miles comes from the stone at the Alton end of Winchester Road, by The Butts railway bridges. In Jane’s time, this stone was one of the first things she would have passed when returning to Chawton from Alton having shopped or visited family and friends.
The finest piece of Anglo-Saxon craftmanship to have been found in Hampshire.
A rare high quality work enamelled Roman cup.
The Gallery of Childhood
Packed with toys, children's books and dolls dating back to the 18th century. There are also two fully furnished dolls houses and a selection of jigsaw puzzles... displayed in delightful miniature cases... an ideal height for children.
Collectors Corner
You will find an unusual selection of material, which changes regularly, displayed in our case for local collectors. If you collect things which you think may be of interest to others, and you would be willing to lend them to us for a short period of time, please get in touch to arrange a place in Collectors Corner.
School visits to the Curtis Museum
The Curtis Museum welcomes young visitors and is developing a range of opportunities which support classroom learning.
Exploring Toys – KS1
A led session lasting one and a half hours and using a range of sorting, matching and decision-making activities. Pupils handle and explore a range of toys from our collections, aged from Victorian through to contemporary toys
Remembrance Day KS1
November only - Investigate Remembrance Day using Susan Varley’s Badger’s Parting Gifts as a focus. Make a class wreath, handle museum objects and explore music and memorials. Note: The Curtis Museum is located next door to Alton’s War Memorial.
Investigating the Past - KS2
This 2 hour session gives young historians the opportunity to use a range of resources including historic maps of Alton, museum objects and census material to investigate the Victorians and solve a family mystery .
Free Assemblies
If you would like an Community Engagement and Learning Officer to deliver an assembly introducing the work of museums, please ring and we will be happy to talk to you about your requirements.