EXCLUSIVE

The Weald and Downland Museum where the Repair Shop is filmed.

The Weald & Downland Living Museum, tucked away in the lovely scenery of the South Downs National Park in West Sussex, has been a beacon of education, preservation, and inspiration since Roy Armstrong MBE established it in 1970, writes Rachel Soothill for Sussex Life.

The museum where the Repair Shop is filmed will celebrate its 55th anniversary in 2025, and it is committed to preserving the past for future generations.

The museum, with its unique collection of historic buildings, interactive demonstrations, and forward-thinking educational opportunities, exemplifies lifelong learning in its purest form.

A History Worth Preserving

The Weald & Downland Living Museum was founded on a goal to preserve southeastern England’s unique architectural legacy in reaction to the extensive loss of vernacular structures during the postwar period.

Over the previous five decades, the museum has rebuilt over 50 historic buildings ranging from 950 AD to the nineteenth century on its 40-acre campus.

These structures range from Saxon Halls and mediaeval houses to agricultural buildings, a market hall, a running mill, a Victorian school, a forge, and a mediaeval shop, to name a few. Each one has been methodically deconstructed and reassembled to serve as a concrete link to the past.

Among the historic structures is the distinctive Downland Gridshell Building, a marvel of timber architecture that displays an intriguing collection of building materials, tools, and relics from rural life in the Weald and Downland regions.

This one-of-a-kind edifice encapsulates the museum’s commitment to preservation by merging cutting-edge modern architecture with historical significance.

Keeping Crafts Alive

Entering the Weald & Downland Living Museum is like stepping back in time. Traditional crafts and trades, many of which are disappearing from modern life, are cherished and preserved through frequent displays and seminars.

Visitors can see artisans work using centuries-old tools and skills, or enjoy the sight of the museum’s big horses ploughing the fields.

Blacksmithing, flax processing, milling, baking, and weaving are just a few of the trades on display, providing insight into earlier generations’ inventiveness and resourcefulness.

These live demonstrations provide essential insights into how historical techniques can still be applied in a modern environment.

Through the Lens

As part of the anniversary celebrations, there is a special photographic exhibition, Through the Lens, which features pictures from the museum’s interesting journey.

Many of the pictures on show were taken by museum founder Roy Armstrong and provide an insight into the museum’s history, from its humble beginnings to its many stages of development.

Lifelong Learning

Since its beginnings, the museum has placed a strong emphasis on education. It was created by a community of teachers and historians to provide a venue where learning can go beyond the pages of textbooks.

Within two years of its establishment, more than 35,000 schoolchildren visited the museum, and it is still regarded as an important location for schools and universities to learn outside of the classroom.

The Heritage Education Trust awarded the museum the Sandford Award for Education in 2022.

The museum’s commitment to lifelong learning does not stop with the younger generations. Since its inception, it has sponsored speeches, seminars, and hands-on workshops for individuals interested in learning more about rural living and conservation.

Key features of its educational offerings include the establishment of part-time MSc programs in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation in collaboration with the University of York, as well as the debut of its popular timber-framing course.

The latter gives participants hands-on experience that ranges from felling a tree to building a timber-framed structure. These projects aim not just to preserve skills, but also to empower people to adapt ancient knowledge to modern conservation concerns.

For people who enjoy learning, the museum offers a variety of short courses for both experienced practitioners and those wishing to acquire a new skill.

Traditional culinary practices and farming are among the topics covered, in addition to blacksmithing and straw-bale building. The courses promote an appreciation for the artistry and expertise that marked previous eras while also giving practical skills for today.

The museum’s diverse course offerings have reinforced its position as a leading institution for heritage education.

These courses attract students and professionals from all around the UK who are dedicated to preserving history one timber, stone, or brick at a time.

Family Experience

One of the museum’s most notable features is its accessibility to visitors of all ages.

It provides families with a unique opportunity to learn and engage via interactive activities and seasonal events. Special demonstrations, such as Tudor cuisine or ancient farming practices, bring history to life for young audiences.

The museum’s informal setting allows children to interact with the historic buildings and exhibits in a hands-on manner, sparking their curiosity and creating lasting memories.

‘The museum is for those who wish to see, touch, and even smell what life was like for past generations. Whether you’re 5 or 95, there’s something for everyone!

The Weald & Downland Living Museum’s 55th anniversary has been a celebration of the many craftspeople, builders, educators, and volunteers who have contributed to its success.

The Weald & Downland Living Museum is more than just a collection of old buildings; it is a living, breathing tribute to ages past, craftsmanship, and the importance of education.

Whether it’s seeing a craft demonstration, taking a workshop, or simply wandering the historic grounds, each visit emphasises the significance of preserving and learning from history.

For both Sussex residents and visitors from far away, the museum provides a platform to reconnect with history in a way that is both enriching and intensely intimate.

From the humble beginnings of Saxon Hall dwellings to the towering timber-framed barns that have been rebuilt on-site, the Weald & Downland Living Museum exemplifies what can be accomplished when the past is used to provide the groundwork for the future.

This year has been an excellent opportunity to explore everything it has to offer. The Weald & Downland Living Museum is ready to welcome the next generation of lifelong learners.

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