Museum

The Harleston museum was opened on 3 July 1982 to provide a permanent home for the exhibits. A photograph of the opening shown in the South Norfolk News featured Miss Claire Allured, at 87 the town's oldest resident, dressed in Victorian clothes signing the visitor's book.

Previous Displays

Hall Houses

The focus is a 1:25 scale model illustrating modernisation of an old hall house through the centuries and displaying what is under the surface of typical buildings of the age. There is a map showing ancient houses in Harleston and explains how they were made and their position in the town. The model was created for Heritage Open Days 2025 by Colin Brown. There is an associated trail of Hall houses in Harleston: https://www.harlestonhistoricalsociety.org.uk/hall-houses

Healthcare and Doctors

In 1850 Dr John Candler opened his practice (in the coachman’s house attached to the property now known as Candlers) and continued for 50 years. He was joined by his sons William and George. Dr. John Charles Reynolds Robinson took over Candlers in 1900. His daughter Bertha Reynolds Robinson married Dr Frederick Norton Haylock Maidment in 1916 and he took over the practice at Candlers, until 1938. Their son Dr. (John) Charles Haylock Maidment, also practiced in Harleston. The

Harleston Railway

The Waveney Valley Line, was authorised by the Waveney Valley Railway Act on 3 July 1851. The line opened in stages, firstly from Tivetshall to Harleston on 1 December 1855, then to Bungay on 2 November 1860, and finally to Beccles. When the line was completed it was incorporated into the Great Eastern Railway. The Waveney Valley Branch line was 19 1/2 miles long and travelled from Tivetshall, through Pulham Market, Starston and Harleston then onto Redenhall, (which closed to

Harleston Clock

This clock was made it Harleston, circa 1830-50 by Samuel Carman. Samuel Carman (both father and son) had a clock and watch makers shop...

Clay Pipes

The craft of making clay tobacco pipes began in England shortly after the introduction of tobacco in about 1558. The first pipes were...

Mayflower Moments

In 1620 the Mayflower ship sailed to America taking a group of passengers who would become known as the Pilgrims. These are revered as...

Children's Games

There was a time before the computers and the internet. Days of simpler pastimes for children. Board games and card games were as...

Worthies of Harleston

Harleston may be a small town but it has been home to many well-known people. Famous religious leaders and military heroes, business...