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| THE ORGANISATION | ||
| The early 1970's saw a massive change to the landscape and the way people lived in the North Buckinghamshire area. One of the reasons for this upheaval was the coming of the New City of Milton Keynes, which enveloped many of the local villages and progressively developed large tracts of farming land. In parallel many of the traditional industries closed down, to be replaced by new businesses.
There was a desperate need to preserve this once rich heritage before it was lost for ever.
For many years the collection grew and displays were gradually developed, with occasional openings to the public which drew large crowds - and everything was managed by volunteers, through the generous help of numerous people giving up their spare time. The activities carried out by the volunteers in the early days were many and varied, ranging from the recovery of items, restoration, building work, researching, cataloguing, maintenance work, running the site on the open days, guided tours - the list was endless. By the late 1980's the scale of the collection and the increased opening to the public meant that changes were necessary. Milton Keynes Museum was created, and from 1988 Stacey Hill Society was established with a new role. The Society has always been run entirely on a voluntary basis, and managed by a committee of elected officers.Today the Society's work at the Museum is carried out under the supervision and guidance of the Director, but bringing many years of experience and a variety of skills. Apart from physical help from Society Members, it also provides financial help for specific projects at the Museum.
A regular newsletter is published that keeps members up to date with Society activities, and also details of events and news from Milton Keynes Museum. |
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A group of local historians came up with the idea of trying to save some of the past before it was swept away. This brought an enthusiastic public response and many historic items began to be collected. Very soon the problem of housing all these artefacts became acute, and help was sought from Milton Keynes Development Corporation to find a suitable home for them. Happily for this burgeoning collection, Stacey Hill Farm in Wolverton was offered, and so from the Autumn of 1972 it became known as the Stacey Hill Collection of Industry and Rural Life.
Outside the Museum, the Society provides other services for members, and opportunities to meet socially. Society members have a monthly 'get together' during the winter months for a full lecture programme on historical topics. A number of trips to local places of interest are also arranged in the summer months.