This year, Redbourn Village Museum celebrates the 25th Anniversary of our opening, which was on 6th May 2000. Watch this space for news of events marking this significant anniversary, both at the museum and elsewhere.
Since March 2025, the Parish Council has been commissioning renovation work on Silk Mill House, which is a listed building. Repairs to the roof, guttering and fascias have been completed. At the beginning of April, the windows were removed and taken away for repair. The windows were re-installed in mid-May, and the joinery work was completed by the end of that month, when new window locks were fitted.
Scaffolding was then erected to allow access for a Master Plasterer to render walls on two sides of the building with lime plaster, using the historic horse hair technique to bind to the walls. This work was completed during June and the plaster will be allowed to dry for up to 21 months before a coat of paint is applied.
The museum remained open as during renovation work, apart from one weekend. We apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused.
Since March 2025, the Parish Council has been commissioning renovation work on Silk Mill House, which is a listed building. Repairs to the roof, guttering and fascias have been completed. At the beginning of April, the windows were removed and taken away for repair. The windows were re-installed in mid-May, and the joinery work was completed by the end of that month, when new window locks were fitted.
Scaffolding was then erected to allow access for a Master Plasterer to render walls on two sides of the building with lime plaster, using the historic horse hair technique to bind to the walls. This work was completed during June and the plaster will be allowed to dry for up to 21 months before a coat of paint is applied.
The museum remained open as during renovation work, apart from one weekend. We apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused.
Ten window frames removed and taken away for repair, openings boarded with plywood.
After removal of render, the door that led to the Silk Factory from the manager's house can clearly be seen.
This wall was not exposed to the elements when the factory building was attached. 
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The new lime render needs to dry for 21 months before 3 coats of limewash are appied.
Now on sale - the ideal Christmas present for anyone with a Redbourn connection! Hardback edition with over 140 photos of old Redbourn along with historical notes, all in colour. All profits from sales go towards supporting the Village Museum.
Buy it locally for only £20 from the Premier Convenience Store and Queen of Herts in the High Street, or the Hollybush pub.
Also available worldwide on Amazon for £25 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DNZXFYNT)
Diane Whiskin, Trustee and Curator, sadly passed away on 27th August 2024 after a long period of illness, which she managed with great courage. She will be greatly missed by all involved with Redbourn Village Museum as she cared passionately about it and felt strongly that it should remain at Silk Mill House in the future, educating and inspiring local residents about the heritage of the village. Diane was a major fundraiser enabling the restoration of the Portico from Redbourn House, through her many "Dine with Di" evenings and wonderful baking. Rest in Peace, Diane.
Financial Matters
The museum was awarded a grant from Hertfordshire Museums Small Grants Scheme, which enabled us to replace the roller blinds throughout the building in September 2023.
We are also grateful to the Redbourn u3a Ukelele Group who have nominated Redbourn Village Museum as their charity of the year.
Donations that they receive following performances by the musicians are being passed on to the museum, as the u3a is a non profit organisation. Thank you to all involved.
The museum was awarded a grant from Hertfordshire Museums Small Grants Scheme, which enabled us to replace the roller blinds throughout the building in September 2023.
We are also grateful to the Redbourn u3a Ukelele Group who have nominated Redbourn Village Museum as their charity of the year.
Donations that they receive following performances by the musicians are being passed on to the museum, as the u3a is a non profit organisation. Thank you to all involved.
Our smart new bird table reminds us of 4 museum supporters that are no longer with us - Peter Fox (Podge); Maria Maynard; Pauline Allcroft and Charles Milner. They did a tremendous amount for Redbourn Village Museum and we are grateful to them all.
Friendship Club
The museum is grateful to St. Albans District Council who awarded us a grant to run participation sessions for a limited period of time. We are welcoming groups of up to 10 people to stay a while in our upstairs gallery and enjoy fellowship, films, activities and refreshments. Participants in the first session said that they enjoyed themselves, which is good feedback.
Friendship Club
The museum is grateful to St. Albans District Council who awarded us a grant to run participation sessions for a limited period of time. We are welcoming groups of up to 10 people to stay a while in our upstairs gallery and enjoy fellowship, films, activities and refreshments. Participants in the first session said that they enjoyed themselves, which is good feedback.
Museum Friends visit to Gorhambury House
On October 11th, a group of 21 Trustees, volunteers and Friends of the museum visited nearby Gorhambury House, now the home of Viscountess Grimston, who has been project managing the renovation and transformation of the mansion to make it a more family friendly home for her the next generation.
After tea in the dining room and a talk about the history of the house through previous generations, the Viscountess escorted us on a tour of those rooms that are currently accessible during the building works and shared her delight in some of the finishing touches to the interior. We have resolved to return when the work is complete.
On October 11th, a group of 21 Trustees, volunteers and Friends of the museum visited nearby Gorhambury House, now the home of Viscountess Grimston, who has been project managing the renovation and transformation of the mansion to make it a more family friendly home for her the next generation.
After tea in the dining room and a talk about the history of the house through previous generations, the Viscountess escorted us on a tour of those rooms that are currently accessible during the building works and shared her delight in some of the finishing touches to the interior. We have resolved to return when the work is complete.
Storm Eunice Strikes
Sadly, Silk Mill House is not looking in quite as good shape at present as the Peter Brown painting below.
Storm Eunice caused a section of render to fall from the south gable wall and it was found that the render was blown. Scaffolding has been erected to allow repair work to be carried out. All of the render has been removed and will be replaced, hopefully before winter.
The Trustees are extremely grateful that this work is being funded by the museum's landlords, Redbourn Parish Counci
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To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Redbourn Village Museum
which opened on May 6th 2000, the Trustees commissioned this oil painting by local artist, Peter Brown.
which opened on May 6th 2000, the Trustees commissioned this oil painting by local artist, Peter Brown.
