See our Collections exhibited in six rooms.
All the items in our collection which are not on permanent display can be viewed in our Reserve Collection space upstairs.
The Entrance Room
This room charts our history as a Cinque Port. A fabulous diorama of ship building at Small Hythe, and a huge, mural map of the Kent coast give insight into the early origins of Tenterden, through the mediaeval and into the early modern period. Archaeological finds, maps, models, and a timeline of events help to illustrate the history of this important borough.
The 19th Century Room
This room showcases our 19th Century collections, including items from the local police force, fire brigade, schools, trades and businesses. There is also a turn-of-the-century kitchen area and a fire engine last used in 1896.
Along one wall is the ‘Tenterden Tapestry’; fourteen colourful panels, made by pupils at Tenterden Church of England Junior School in 1974, depicting the history of the town from Roman times. In 2024, pupils from the same school worked with members of the Museum’s Schools’ Outreach Team to create a new panel (also on show here) to mark the 50th anniversary of the original.
The 20th Century Room and Kitchen
Immerse yourself in a typical 1960s home and learn more about Tenterden and District in the 20th Century trough our timeline of local events. You can also listen to personal recollections of past residents through our audio handsets.
The kitchen, with its clothes airer and pastel furnishings, shows us what was considered modern in the middle of the century, whilst the comfortable sitting room – complete with T.V set and children’s toys – shows us how we liked to relax over half a century ago.
The Agriculture Room
This room celebrates the agricultural heritage of Tenterden and its surrounding villages. Many of the tools on show here date from the 1800s, and include a hop press, farming equipment and carpentry and blacksmithing tools.
We also have a silent film created from contemporary cine reels, showing hop production during the first half of the 20th Century.
The Buildings Room
Here, we feature the story of the Georgian theatre, plus many items relating to local breweries and public huoses.
The development of buildings in the town is charted through many of the materials used in their construction and you can get ‘up close and personal’ with mathematical tiles, bricks and drainage pipes as well as wattle and daub, a crown post and fragments of Tudor wall painting.
Tenterden & District Motorcycle Club Room:
Find out about the T&DMCC, its founder, Karl Pugh and some of its most celebrated riders. You can also view our WWII Rudge motorcycle.
Study Area and Tenterden Local History Society Library:
Book this space to browse the Museum’s extensive photograph collection or book a seat to view the Local History Society library. (Library for TLHS members’ use only). To enquire or book, please contact: tenterdenmuseum@gmail.com
The Reserve Collection
Everything not on permanent display within the museum is housed in our Reserve Collection Room. This space is usually open to all, but it can be viewed in more detail by appointment and is also a stop point on our museum tours.