Cuckfield Museum, housed on the first floor of the historic Queens Hall, opened in 1981 and tells a story unique to Cuckfield. It was here in the 1820s that Gideon Mantell identified the first dinosaur to become known to science – the Iguanodon. Fossilised teeth from Iguanodon were found in the stone quarries at Whitemans Green, on the north edge of the village. One of our permanent displays features bones, photographs, archive and documentary material relating to this discovery and to the general geology of the area.
This small volunteer run museum is a repository for a rich tapestry of artefacts such as ceramics, paintings, photographs and maps, having a strong Cuckfield connection. Other items in our collection include furniture, domestic bygones, and a range of utilitarian and more formal garments, prints and watercolours, all of local significance. The museum also illustrates aspects of life in and around Cuckfield, celebrating local occupations and trades such as farming, glove making, brewing and clock making.
Displays are theme changed, generally to coincide with particular local and national events, throughout the year. A small Research room, with computer access, is available for research use by visitors, holding a wealth of information in documents and book form on a wide range of local and family history matters.
The Museum also hosts visits from local schools and organisations, as well as organising a series of interesting talks on a varied range of topics throughout the year.
Please visit our website - cuckfieldmuseum.org