Littlehampton Museum

The town's local history collection and exhibition space

Littlehampton Museum holds the town's collection of historical artefacts, photographs, documents and records, preserving the material evidence of the town's past and making it accessible to residents, visitors and researchers. The museum is a modest institution by national standards, but its significance lies in its focus on the specific history of Littlehampton and the Arun district, a story that no larger museum can tell with the same depth and local knowledge.

The museum's collection covers the full span of the town's history, from the archaeological evidence of early settlement through the medieval harbour, the Georgian and Victorian resort development, the fishing and shipbuilding industries, the two world wars and the modern era. Objects in the collection include maritime artefacts from the harbour and the fishing fleet, domestic items from the town's houses and shops, photographs spanning more than a century and documents that record the official and personal history of the community.

Exhibitions are mounted from the collection and from external loans, with changing displays that explore different aspects of the town's history and culture. The exhibition programme balances regular themes, such as the maritime history and the resort development, with topical subjects that respond to anniversaries, local events and the interests of the community. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions by local artists, photographers and craft workers, providing a venue for creative work that connects with the town's heritage.

The museum's research resources include a local studies library, an archive of photographs and plans, newspaper cuttings files and oral history recordings. These resources are available to researchers by appointment, and the museum staff are knowledgeable about the town's history and able to guide enquiries towards relevant sources. Family historians, local history enthusiasts, students and professional researchers all use the museum's resources, and the staff's willingness to help is one of the institution's strengths.

Educational activities, including school visits, workshops and holiday activities for children, form an important part of the museum's programme. The museum provides curriculum-linked sessions for primary and secondary schools, using the collection to bring history to life in a way that textbooks and screens cannot match. Handling real objects from the past, examining old photographs and hearing the stories of people who lived in the same streets create a connection with history that is immediate and personal.

The museum's future, like that of many small local museums, depends on continued funding, volunteer support and public engagement. The institution operates within tight financial constraints, and the commitment of the staff, the volunteers and the Friends of the Museum is essential to its survival. The museum's value lies not in the grandeur of its building or the fame of its collections, but in its role as the custodian of a community's memory, the place where the story of Littlehampton is kept, told and passed on to the next generation.

The museum shop offers books, postcards, prints and gifts related to Littlehampton's history and the local area, providing visitors with souvenirs and further reading. The shop generates income that supports the museum's activities, and the products reflect the quality and distinctiveness of the collection.