Collections

BUILDINGS

More than 45 historic buildings from south east England have been rescued and rebuilt, illustrating the development of building technology and style, supported by a wide range of interpretive exhibitions and techniques. Priority has been given to high standards of scholarship, leading to the Museum's recognition as a leader in the study and practice of building conservation.

For enquiries about historic buildings including the Museum's exhibits click here.

LIBRARY

The comprehensive reference library relating to vernacular architecture, building conservation and rural crafts and skills is one of the leading archives in the country on these subjects.  This library is now available on line through the West Sussex Past Gateway.

SUPPORTING COLLECTIONS

The Museum has a strong supporting collection illustrating historic building technology, building trades and rural crafts, especially woodland and timber management, agriculture and domestic life interpreted through exhibitions and displays, recreated historic gardens and landscapes, farm livestock and demonstrations of countryside skills.

View Podcasts - Artefacts collection parts 1 to 4

Access to the Museums artefact collection

Access to the artefact collections is available to visitors through the daily tour of the Gridshell building, however this affords only a general overview of the stored items.

Visitors may have a particular interest in a part of the collection and may wish to study such items in more detail; in order to meet these needs greater access to the collections is made possible via an appointments programme.

Although the Museum has other artefact stores, at present only those items housed in the Gridshell building are available to be studied through the appointments programme. The main groups of items located in the Gridshell are as follows:

Depending upon the size and number of items to be studied, the appointment will either be held in the store itself, or in the adjacent research office.

All appointments will be supervised by a member of the Collections Team and visitors fully briefed on relevant procedures beforehand; additional details and guidelines will be made available when an appointment is being agreed.

Appointments are generally restricted to a maximum of 2 hours in duration and are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 2.00 and 4.30, however extended research time or alternative days may be discussed beforehand. 

Appointments are agreed through the completion of a brief application form which is available, together with full details governing the procedures and guidelines, from; 

Julian Bell
Curator
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Singleton
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0EU