Heritage

Heritage

About the Museum

Our museum and heritage facilities celebrate the history of Havant Borough, its people and stories.

Our museum galleries are open during The Spring’s standard opening times and before evening performances.

Havant History Group Meetings

We are home to Havant Local History Group who meet on the first Saturday of the month, 10am – 12noon.

These sessions are free and you can join them in the Harrison Room for their open meetings.

Sat1 Feb 2025A little local disagreement at the Bear InnDavid K. Warner
Sat1 Mar 2025Nelson’s returnNigel Linger
Sat5 Apr 2025Hambledon: Keeping our legacy aliveMurray Mahon
Sat3 May 2025Old Idsworth *Mark Seaman
* followed by an optional guided tour around Idsworth
Sat7 Jun 2025Mysteries of St Marys Church, PortchesterTony Billings
Followed by tea at Wade Court
Sat5 Jul 2025Annual WalkNigel or Neil
Sat2 Aug 2025Annual Visit Petersfield MuseumAnn Brooks
Sat6 Sep 2025Heritage Open Days pre-Launch
12-21 Sep 2025Havant Borough Heritage FestivalSeparate Programme to follow
Sat4 Oct 2025Harbour findsWilliam Donaldson
Sat1 Nov 2025Ten minute talksMembers
Sat6 Dec 2025Prisoners of War in Portchester CastleAbigail Coppins

 

Genealogy and research

The Research Room in our museum is open during our regular opening hours: 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and for an hour before evening performance times.

We provide free access to a range of resources including:

  • Two computers with free internet access from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday
  • Printed records for births, marriages, deaths, baptisms and burials for Havant and the local area from as early as 1635
  • Census returns for Havant from 1841
  • Maps of the local area from as early as 1875

We also provide a free genealogy and local history service. Appointments with our specialists are free, but please book in advance by contacting us here.

Thursdays:
11am – 1pm Local Genealogist – Christine Russell

Fridays:
10am-12.30pm Local Historian and Genealogist – Ann Griffiths

ALT TEXT NEEDED
An elderly woman with white hair and glasses, wearing a bright red top, sits at a wooden table in a well-organised archive or library. She is engrossed in examining a large, open book with aged pages. Around her, there are various folders and documents, including a pink box filled with booklets and a large red binder labeled 'Archives'. Behind her, white shelves are filled with books, binders, and storage boxes.

Lead and supporting photos photo (c) Jasmine Aurora

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