Market Harborough Museum

Museum displaying collections with local relevance. including; the Symington collection (Corsetry) and archaeological finds. As well as regularly changing exhibitions.

The museum celebrates Market Harborough’s long history as a centre of trade and industry in the heart of the Welland Valley at the crossroads between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

The internationally-important Hallaton Treasure is showcased in the museum. Found in 2000 by metal detectorist Ken Wallace and the Hallaton Fieldwork Group, the Treasure Gallery contains over 2,500 glittering coins, mysterious offerings and a beautiful and unique 1st century Roman cavalry helmet.

Our displays focus on the historic and recent communities who have shaped the story of Market Harborough and its surroundings through the themes of:

* The communities that have made Harborough
* Childhood
* Manufacturing, trade and commerce
* Religion and belief
* Health and wellbeing
* Places of entertainment
* Conflict and war
* Food and farming
* Local villages and parishes
* A recreation of Mr Falkner’s early 20th century boot and shoe workshop.

The Market Harborough Historical Society’s wonderful collection of curiosities has dedicated displays including Ancient Egyptian pottery, a Mastodon tooth and the evocative drummer boy’s jacket of the Market Harborough Volunteers, 1806.

Alongside museums in Leicestershire including Lutterworth Museum, Hallaton Museum and the BoilerHouse at Foxton Locks and museums in neighbouring Kettering, Desborough and Northampton we collect, preserve, display and make accessible objects, pictures, ephemera and recorded memories of the area.

Harborough Museum is a partnership between Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Council and the Market Harborough Historical Society, whose collection is the foundation of the museum. The museum was refurbished as part of the transformation of the Symington Building in 2014 and was made possible by the support of the Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity.