THE story of the new Petersfield Museum started on June 5, 1973; today the new museum opened displaying artefacts and history stretching back more than 10,000 years.

That day 48 years ago saw the inaugural meeting of Petersfield Area Historical Society.

After that first meeting, society members collected artefacts and produced documents and books; bulletins started in 1975.

The idea of a museum was suggested by the-then town mayor Teresa Jamieson in 1993/1994 and a steering committee set up.

Fast forward in time, and in 2005 a legacy of £1,327,508 was received from local solicitor Freddie Standfield.

In February that year the museum became an independent charitable trust, with Vaughan Clarke its chairman.

Before today’s opening, Vaughan said: “The new museum has exceeded my every expectation – it is so much better than we envisaged thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and lots of local support.”

In 2009 Hampshire County Council transferred Flora Twort Cottage in St Peter’s churchyard and her paintings, wood blocks and letters to the trustees, and the search for larger premises began.

In November 2013 the court house behind Petersfield police station was bought for £65,000.

Vaughan said: “We bought it at the first opportunity.

“We also wanted the courtyard and the police station, but it was thought we couldn’t afford them.”

Despite the scepticism, a £450,000 offer for both was accepted on September 8, 2014, and in June 2018, the project gained a £1,318,000 Heritage Lottery Fund award.

Trustee Bill Gosney said: “The project was a huge team effort – more than 30 firms and organisations were involved including a pest control firm which cleared out the pigeons and rodents, and a Manchester film crew. They produced a film of the town and area over which museum patron Sir Daniel Day Lewis recites two Edward Thomas poems; it starts automatically when visitors go into the viewing area.”

And the museum’s Buy and Name a Brick campaign raised an “amazing” £22,000, added Bill.

On November 13, 2020, the finished museum was handed over to the trustees, and it opened to the public today.

Museum curator Sophie Yaniw said: “Having joined the team when there were just two small galleries in the old courthouse, it’s been incredible to see the buildings transform into something truly unrecognisable.

“Residents who have visited before will be amazed, and I hope those who haven’t will be proud to have such a high-quality attraction on their doorstep.

“It’s so exciting to be able to display more of the collections.

“Some of my favourite items are an 18th-century silk men’s coat with beautiful embroidery, and a bone crucifix which we believe was made around 1800 by French prisoners of war.

“All objects will be displayed as never before alongside a rewritten story of Petersfield – I can’t wait to share it with our visitors.”