Explore the latest news and find out what's on this month
Explore our learning offer for schools, families and community groups
Uncover the rich history of Elmbridge with our latest online exhibitions
Want to discover more about your local area?
Since early 2024, Elmbridge Museum’s collections team has been preparing to relocate approximately 4,000 three-dimensional objects from its collection due to the inadequacy of the current storage facility in Walton-on-Thames, established in the 1960s. Finding a new space that meets modern collections care standards is essential.
The objects at our Walton store are diverse in size, materials, and preservation needs. They comprise much of our social history collection dating from the late 19th to late 20th centuries, ranging from domestic equipment, furniture, toys, sports and leisure equipment, items relating to local trades and services, to architectural pieces salvaged from local landmarks and buildings, as well as models. We also hold items linked to Elmbridge’s rural past and transport. In addition, we house the Oatlands Palace Archaeological finds collection, as well as finds from several other local archaeological sites. The store also accommodates the museum’s Geology and Ceramics collections.
A volunteer assisting with repacking the cobblers tool collection.
This project started with an audit of all stored items to ensure that our inventory is comprehensive and up-to-date and all items in store are accurately labelled. Where possible, we have taken basic photographs of objects to add to our collections database and to aid future identification. Although space is limited in our current store, we have welcomed a small number of volunteers to help with this process.
Volunteers have also contributed by helping with some auditing and re-packing activities at the Esher Civic Centre, where there is ample space and resources for more comprehensive tasks.
A very satisfying outcome of the audit process has been making new discoveries, or rediscoveries of objects that had over the course of time become dis-associated from their locations within our records. For example, three of the objects in our 2025 Remembrance display at the Civic Centre had previously been recorded as “missing”, which thanks to the collections project were finally able to be located and put on display.
Our collections team and volunteers have also been inspired to delve deeper into the background of objects within the collection, whether that be to find out more about early technologies, how the objects came to be within our collection, or the stories and people that connect them specifically to Elmbridge. This research has already enabled more Object in Focus content on our website, and we plan to continue over the course of our move and beyond.
The tool display at Weybridge Community Fair.
Another exciting output from the project was being able to bring some of our collections out of the store and engage directly with members of our community.
Following the discovery of an early 20th century carpenter’s chest belonging to former Walton resident William Hirons, we teamed up with Weybridge Men’s Sheds to create a mobile display of the tools, which we then showcased at the Weybridge Community Fair at Churchfields Recreation Ground and Heritage Open Day Fair at Riverhouse Barn, Walton-on-Thames.
Our tools quiz was a success across the generations!
Fancy a quick challenge? Have a go at our tools quiz
Items containing chemical hazards such as this collection of pharmaceutical bottles have been clearly labelled and stored in a custom-made compartmented tray to avoid spillage.
We’ve also been evaluating object conditions, addressing handling issues, and managing hazards. This included surveying for asbestos in historic materials, such as early electrical appliances, where it has been used for its heat-resistant or insulating properties. All objects identified by our specialist contractor as containing asbestos hazards are now treated, labelled with handling instructions, recorded on our collections database and included on an asbestos register.
Another specialist survey was carried out to certify that any disused ordnance in the collection was free from explosives. Our collection also contains chemical hazards, mercury and lead, necessitating careful labelling, handling and packing.
Careful condition checking allows us to spot problems such as insect pest infestations and mould and take preventive action to avoid bringing these into the new store.
Since summer 2025, museum staff and collections project volunteers have been busy cleaning, wrapping and boxing objects in readiness for the move.
For long-term storage, we use specially selected materials that are inert and stable, such as acid-free tissue, Tyvek™, acid-free cardboard boxes or custom-made boxes of corrugated polypropylene sheet. For shorter periods, such as storage during transit, polythene bubble wrap and standard issue removal crates are also suitable.
Plans for our new store in Weybridge are in progress with an anticipated completion date of summer 2026. We are looking forward to setting up the new facility which will support improved collection care and management, and provide better access for staff, volunteers and researchers.
Volunteers wrapping objects in preparation for the move.
Some items which had been stored in garages required meticulous cleaning to remove many years of accumulated dust, debris and cobwebs, prior to being packed. 
