The
foundation of Eyam Museum was inspired by Clarence Daniel, a lifelong
resident of Eyam who collected local fossils, minerals, archaeological
material, and any documents and papers related to the village
and its history. He ran a small private museum in his house, but
was always thwarted in attempts to set up a public museum. His
collection was passed to the Village Society on his death in 1987,
and Eyam Museum Ltd. was formed.
After
seven years of struggle, during which the collection was catalogued
and stored and a number of possible sites came to nothing, the
Methodist Church offered us the use of the chapel. Eyam Museum
opened on 23rd April 1994, as a small one-floor museum. When the
Heritage Lottery Fund opened for applications our Secretary reacted
instantly, so that we were one of the first eight grant recipients
in early 1995. During the winter of 1995/6 we dismantled the display
and an extra floor was built. During the next winter our display
was completely re-designed and rebuilt, and was officially reopened
by the Duchess of Devonshire on 9th May 1997.
Since
then we have bought the property, and rebuilt tumbledown buildings
at the back of the main museum for long-term secure storage of
local artifacts. The museum is still staffed by volunteers, and
attracts many thousands of visitors, including school parties
and students carrying out research.
